cannibalistic
|can-ni-bal-is-tic|
/ˌkænɪbəˈlɪstɪk/
relating to eating one's own kind; self-consuming
Etymology
'cannibalistic' originates from English, specifically from the noun 'cannibal' combined with the suffix '-istic' (meaning 'relating to' or 'characteristic of'). The noun 'cannibal' entered English from Spanish 'caníbal', which referred to the Carib people reputed by early Europeans to be human-eaters.
'cannibal' came into English via Spanish 'caníbal' (from reports of the Caribbean 'Carib' peoples); English formed the adjective 'cannibalistic' by adding the suffix '-istic' to express 'relating to cannibalism'.
Initially, the root referred specifically to people believed to eat human flesh; over time the adjective 'cannibalistic' has kept that literal meaning but also acquired figurative senses describing destructive, self-consuming competition.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
relating to or characteristic of cannibalism; involving the eating of members of the same species.
The isolated tribe practiced cannibalistic rituals in certain funerary ceremonies.
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Adjective 2
figurative: Describing internal or intergroup behavior in which members or units effectively 'consume' or destroy each other (e.g., companies or factions), often used to describe ruthless competition.
The industry's cannibalistic takeover culture left many small firms bankrupt.
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Last updated: 2025/10/12 21:38