cannibalize

American  

[kan-uh-buh-lahyz] / ˈkæn ə bəˌlaɪz /

especially British, cannibalise

verb (used with object)

cannibalized, cannibalizing

1. to subject to cannibalism.

2. to remove parts, equipment, assets, employees, etc., from (an item, product, or business) in order to use them in another.

   to cannibalize old airplanes for replacement parts.

3. to cut into; cause to become reduced; diminish.

   New products introduced in the next six months will cannibalize sales from established lines.

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verb (used without object)

cannibalized, cannibalizing

1. to act cannibalistically; practice cannibalism.

cannibalize British  

/ ˈkænɪbəˌlaɪz /

verb

1. (tr) to use (serviceable parts from one machine or vehicle) to repair another, esp as an alternative to using new parts

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Other Word Forms

• cannibalization noun

Etymology

Origin of cannibalize

First recorded in 1940–45; cannibal + -ize