Cannibalize Meaning, Pronunciation, Definition, & Description

Do you know what cannibalize meaning, definition & description are? Similar to other English words, cannibalize has several implications and uses different connotations. This article will discuss every aspect in which you can use the term Cannibalize. Let’s read. 

Cannibalize In American English

The first thing that often disturbs people’s minds is the American British English difference. A similar happens in the case of the word cannibalization. When you ask in American English, the word spells ‘cannibalize’ with the ‘z’ letter. Moreover, in Canada also, people use the spelling with the ‘z.’

Cannibalise In British English

In British English, when you have to write down the word cannibalize, you have to use the letter ‘s’ instead of ‘z.’ 

Cannibalize Pronunciation 

Not only in writing but even in pronunciation, you will feel a little difference in the articulation of cannibalizing in listening. Moreover, it is also difficult for non-natives to understand after listening and pronouncing the word cannibalize. Here is the pronunciation of the word in both American and British English. 

British English 

• Cannibalise is pronounced in Britain or the United Kingdom as /ˈkæn.ɪ.bəl.aɪz/
• According to Google Pronunciation, the word cannibalise sounds like “ka·nuh·buh·lize.”

American English

• Cannibalize is pronounced in America, or the countries use United States of America English as /ˈkæn.ə.bəl.aɪz/
• According to Google Pronunciation, the word cannibalize sounds like “ka·nuh·buh·lize.”

History Of The Word Cannibalizes

When it comes to the history of the word ‘cannibalize,’ you will find out its use in different ages in different ways. It was first used in 1873 as a word that describes the practice of eating human flesh by humans. 

It was first derived from Caníbales, which is the Spanish name for the West Indies tribe, the Caribs, about whom people believe that they practiced cannibalism. 

The word “cannibal” was first used by European explorers to describe the Carib people, who were supposed to practice cannibalism, or the act of consuming human flesh.

The word “cannibalism” was derived from the word “cannibal,” and originally referred specifically to the act of consuming human flesh. However, over time, the word has come to be used more broadly to describe any situation in which one individual consumes another individual of the same species, whether for survival or other reasons. In modern usage, the word “cannibalism” is generally used to describe the act of consuming the flesh of another individual of the same species, regardless of the motivations behind the behavior.

Cannibalize Word Forms

Cannibalize Verb

The term ‘cannibalizes’ is used as both a transitive and intransitive verb. Here is the description.

Transitive Verb 

The word ‘cannibalize’ is a transitive verb and is used in various ways with different meanings, for example.

• Cut out or take repairable parts from some machine to use in another one with a purpose.
• Deprivation of one essential element for making and sustaining the other component or facility. 
• Using the material or work of another writer and artist
• Increase the sale of a new product by eliminating the previous one (see more in Cannibalize Meaning In Marketing, Commerce)
• Consummation of one body’s mass by another (see more in Cannibalize Meaning In Astronomy)

Intransitive Verb 

As an intransitive verb, cannibalize means 

• the practice of eating the flesh of one organism by a member of the same species. (see more in Cannibalize Meaning In Human History)
• Cannibalize one part, portion, or section for the sake of another similar kind.

Cannibalize Meaning In Marketing, Commerce

In marketing and commerce, the verb cannibalize is used; here is the definition.

When a manufacturer brings a new thing or product into the market and takes the sales away from the previous but similar product by selling the new one and encouraging the consumers to buy it is cannibalized.

Here is an example sentence using the word “cannibalize” in the context of marketing and commerce:

“We were worried that launching a new product in the same price range as our existing product would cannibalize sales, but it ended up driving overall revenue up by introducing new customers to the brand.”

In this sentence, the word “cannibalize” refers to the idea that introducing a new product that competes with an existing product could potentially harm the sales of the current product. In this case, it was initially a concern but ended up not being a problem and actually increasing overall revenue.

Cannibalize Meaning In Production

When it comes to production, the word cannibalize has the following meaning.

The practice of taking away parts from any vehicle or machine so you can repair the parts or overall vehicle or device is known as cannibalize

Here is an example sentence using the word “cannibalize” in the context of production: 

“We realized that we could save money on production costs by cannibalizing some of the parts from our older models to use in the newer ones. This could help us to increase efficiency and reduce waste.” 

In this sentence, the word “cannibalize” refers to the idea of using parts or components from one product to repair or improve another product. In this case, the company was able to reuse pieces from older models in newer ones, which helped to reduce production costs and increase efficiency.

Cannibalize Meaning In Astronomy

In astronomy, the word cannibalize means

incorporating mass by an object from the nearest one by using gravitational attraction.

Here is an example sentence using the word “cannibalize” in the context of astronomy:

“As the outer planets of the solar system formed, it is thought that they may have cannibalized smaller, inner planets, causing them to either be destroyed or absorbed into the larger planets.”

In this sentence, the word “cannibalize” is being used to describe the process of one celestial body consuming or destroying another celestial body. In the context of astronomy, this can refer to a variety of processes, including the collision and merger of two objects or the gravitational capture of one object by another.

Cannibalize Meaning In Biology

In Biology, the word cannibalizes means; Eating the flesh of an individual or member of a specie by its fellow member (mostly the older ones).

Here is an example sentence using the word “cannibalize” in a biological context:

“In times of scarcity, some species of insects have been known to cannibalize their own young in order to survive.”

This sentence uses the word “cannibalize” to describe the act of one individual consuming another individual of the same species. In this case, the individuals are the young of the species. This behavior is often seen as a survival strategy when resources are scarce and can occur in a variety of species, including insects, reptiles, and even some mammals.

Cannibalize Meaning In Human History

Even in humans, the practice of cannibalism has a long history, where humans have eaten the body parts or internal organs of fellow humans. You will see examples in the history of humans or its chunks in the literature. 

It’s pretty horrific to learn that the practice of cannibalism was common in many areas of the world, like Melanesia, West & Central Africa, Australia, New Guinea, New Zealand, Polynesia, etc. The tribes of Sumatra, North and South America, also practiced it in the past. 

Some people did it in respect by eating the flesh of their dead loved ones; some started the practice for survival, while a few tribes did it after winning the battles by eating the organs of their enemies to satisfy their revenge and get the abilities of their enemies. 

Conclusion

I hope this article about cannibalize meaning and the description of its various use is helpful for you. If you know something exciting about cannibalism, comment to us; we’d love to read it.