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Cannibal

Definitions and Meaning in English

1. A person or animal that eats the flesh of its own species.
2. In a broader sense, a person who engages in the act of eating human flesh.
3. A member of a group or society who consumes the flesh of fellow members, often in ritualistic or extreme circumstances.
4. In business or technology, a term used metaphorically to describe a company or product that consumes or takes away market share from another.

History and Origin

The word “cannibal” comes from the Spanish caníbal, which was derived from Caríbal, the term for the Carib people, who were known by early European explorers to practice cannibalism. The term was first used in the early 16th century when the Spanish encountered indigenous peoples in the Americas. Over time, it came to be associated with any act of eating human flesh, either in specific cultural practices or extreme situations.

Detailed Explanation

A “cannibal” refers to an individual, human or animal, that consumes the flesh of their own species. In humans, cannibalism is often seen as a taboo or criminal act, though it has been practiced in certain cultures for rituals or survival. In animals, cannibalism is more common in some species, particularly in times of scarcity or aggression. The term “cannibal” is also used metaphorically in business or technology to describe a situation where one entity takes resources or market share from another, often at the expense of its own success.

Example Sentences

1. The explorers were horrified to discover that the tribe practiced cannibalism as part of their rituals.
2. The story described a desperate survival situation where the crew members turned to cannibalism.
3. Some animals, like certain species of spiders, engage in cannibalism when food is scarce.
4. The company’s new product was accused of being a cannibal in the market, taking customers from its own previous model.
5. Historical accounts of cannibalism during sieges or famines describe extreme survival scenarios.
6. The cannibalistic behaviors of some insects are part of their natural life cycle.
7. Cannibalism is not a common practice in modern society, but it has occurred in isolated or extreme cases.
8. The horror movie revolved around a group of survivors stranded in a remote area, resorting to cannibalism.
9. The documentary explored the taboo of cannibalism in different cultures throughout history.

Synonyms with Short Explanation

1. Man-eater – A creature or person that preys on humans, sometimes implying cannibalism.
2. Carnivore – An animal that feeds on meat, including potentially its own species in some cases.
3. Anthropophagist – A person who eats human flesh, often used in a more formal or technical sense.
4. Devourer – One who consumes or eats something greedily, sometimes used in reference to cannibalism.
5. Predator – An animal or person that hunts and consumes other creatures, occasionally its own species.

Related Words with Short Explanation

1. Survival – The act of staying alive, sometimes involving extreme actions like cannibalism in dire circumstances.
2. Taboo – A cultural or societal prohibition, often applied to practices like cannibalism.
3. Ritual – A ceremonial or religious practice, sometimes involving acts like cannibalism in certain cultures.
4. Necrophagy – The consumption of dead flesh, which can sometimes be associated with cannibalism.
5. Flesh-eating – Referring to the consumption of meat or human flesh, as seen in cannibalistic behavior.

More Matches with Short Explanation

1. Voracious – Having an intense desire to consume, often used in the context of a cannibalistic appetite.
2. Zombie – A fictional undead creature often depicted as a cannibalistic human.
3. Savagery – Acts of cruelty or brutality, sometimes associated with cannibalism in extreme situations.
4. Gluttony – Over-indulgence in eating, which can be metaphorically linked to cannibalistic consumption.
5. Predation – The act of hunting and consuming other creatures, which can extend to cannibalism in some species.

Antonyms

1. Vegetarian
2. Herbivore
3. Carnivorous (in contrast to human cannibalism)
4. Altruist
5. Non-predator