cannibal

Definition

An organism which eats others of its own or similar species or kind, especially a human or other human-like creature such as a zombie who consumes human flesh.

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Cariban *kariponader. Spanish caribeder. Spanish caríbalder. Spanish caníbalbor. English cannibal Borrowed from Spanish caníbal, from Taíno caniba, the Taíno form recorded by Christopher Columbus for the Caribs, who were greatly feared. From an Arawak language, probably Taíno, and ultimately from Proto-Cariban *karipona (“person”). Doublet of Carib, caribe, Garifuna, Carijona, Kari'na, and Caribbean.

Example Sentences

• "These insects were not uncommon beneath stones. I found one cannibal scorpion quietly devouring another."
• "Up the cave I went, and after me came the others, and after them thundered the whole crowd of cannibals, mad with fury at the death of the woman."
• "[…] that the larvae of Thecla calanus is a cannibal, eating its weaker brethren when short of food."