CANNIBALISM

cannibalism

(noun) the practice of eating the flesh of your own kind

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

cannibalism (usually uncountable, plural cannibalisms)

The act of eating another of one's own species.

(figurative) An act in which one thing consumes or takes over another of the same kind.

In speech, the occurrence of one word "eating" part or all of the next word, because the syllables are the same. For example, "Look, an MIT shirt" for "Look, an MIT T-shirt".

Hyponyms

• autocannibalism

• galactic cannibalism

• hypercannibalism

Source: Wiktionary

Can"ni*bal*ism, n. Etym: [Cf. F. cannibalisme.]

Definition: The act or practice of eating human flesh by mankind. Hence; Murderous cruelty; barbarity. Berke.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition