cannibal

American  

[kan-uh-buhl] / ˈkæn ə bəl /

noun

1. a person who eats human flesh, especially for magical or religious purposes, as among certain tribal peoples.

2. any animal that eats its own kind.

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adjective

1. pertaining to or characteristic of a cannibal.

2. given to cannibalism.

cannibal British  

/ ˈkænɪbəl /

noun

1. 1. a person who eats the flesh of other human beings

   2. ( as modifier )

      cannibal tribes

2. an animal that feeds on the flesh of others of its kind

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Other Word Forms

• cannibally adverb

Etymology

Origin of cannibal

First recorded in 1545–55; from Spanish caníbal, variant of caríbal, from canib-, caribe (from Taíno; Carib ( def. ) ) + -al -al ¹; from the belief that the Caribs of the West Indies ate human flesh

Example Sentences

Like Guo’s version of Ishmael, Ahab, and the “cannibal” Queequeg, all who keep beautifully to the spirit of Melville’s characters, Guo’s inclusion of a Chinese sage to the story is another fascinating innovation.

From Los Angeles Times

“Shipwrecks and cannibals. Does that ring any bells, Miss Lumley? I know you filch books from my library sometimes; don’t deny it.”

From Literature

Now she knew how to use crampons and a pickax to scale a glacier, and was keenly aware of how cautious one must be around cannibals.

From Literature

When Rodgers finally shows up, Hart turns on the charm, lets slip that he doesn’t actually like the show, and pitches the great composer on one about singing cannibals.

From The Wall Street Journal

As they do so, like Sara, seeking a “defining moment” they might morph into news cannibals.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• anthropophaginian
• anthropophagite
• anthropophagus
• man-eater
• people-eater