cannibal

[kan-uh-buhl]

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.

adjective

1. pertaining to or characteristic of a cannibal.

2. given to cannibalism.

cannibal

/ 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

Other Word Forms

• cannibally adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of cannibal¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of cannibal¹

C16: from Spanish Canibales, name used by Columbus to designate the Caribs of Cuba and Haiti, from Arawak caniba, variant of _Carib

Example Sentences

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

Read more on 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.

Read more on Literature

Dahmer, however, was something else – a serial killing cannibal whose average appearance enabled him to ingratiate himself to Milwaukee’s policemen.

Read more on Salon

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.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

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

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• anthropophaginian www.thesaurus.com
• anthropophagite 
• anthropophagus www.thesaurus.com
• man-eater 
• people-eater www.thesaurus.com