Meaning & Definition of word "Cannibalism"
Cannibalism
/ˈkæn.ɪ.bəl.ɪ.zəm/
noun:
- 1. the practice of eating the flesh of one's own species.
- Example: Cannibalism has been documented in various cultures throughout history.
- 2. the act of one organism consuming another of the same species, often used in ecological and biological contexts.
- Example: In some animal populations, cannibalism occurs as a survival strategy during times of food scarcity.
- 3. a metaphorical use of the term to describe the exploitation or consumption of one's own group or kind.
- Example: The intense competition among the executives led to a severe case of corporate cannibalism.
Etymology
●From the Spanish 'canibal', based on the Carib word 'caniba', which referred to the people of the Caribbean.
Common Phrases and Expressions
eat your own:
To harm or sacrifice one's own group for personal gain.
cannibalistic behavior:
Acts or practices that resemble cannibalism, often in a metaphorical sense.
Related Words
cannibal:
A person who eats human flesh.
anthropophagy:
The act of eating human flesh, synonymous with cannibalism.
Slang Meanings of cannibalism
Meaning: Going after one's own kind in business.
● Example Sentence: That new strategy feels like corporate cannibalism.
Meaning: Self-destructive or harmful behavior.
● Example Sentence: His actions are a form of social cannibalism, hurting his own friends for a quick win.