Cannibalism: meaning, definitions and examples

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cannibalism

 

[ หˆkรฆnษชbษ™หŒlษชz(ษ™)m ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

eating habits

Cannibalism refers to the practice of consuming the flesh of one's own species. It is observed in various species in the animal kingdom and has been documented in human history, often associated with rituals, survival, or extreme circumstances. This practice raises ethical and moral questions and can have legal implications where it occurs among humans.

Synonyms

anthropophagy, man-eating.

Examples of usage

  • The story of the Donner Party highlights the extreme measures of survival, including cannibalism.
  • Certain ancient tribes practiced cannibalism as part of their rituals.
  • Cannibalism has been studied in certain animal species as a means of population control.

Translations

Translations of the word "cannibalism" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น canibalismo

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เค•เฅˆเคจเคฟเคฌเคฒเคฟเคœเคผเฅเคฎ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Kannibalismus

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ kanibalisme

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะบะฐะฝั–ะฑะฐะปั–ะทะผ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ kanibalizm

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ไบบ้ฃŸใ„

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท cannibalisme

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ canibalismo

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท yiyen insan

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์ธ์œก

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุขูƒูู„ู ุงู„ู„ู‘ุญู’ู… ุงู„ุจุดุฑูŠ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ kanibalismus

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ kanibalizmus

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ้ฃŸไบบไธปไน‰

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ kanibalizem

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ mannรฆtur

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะบะฐะฝะฝะธะฑะฐะปะธะทะผ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ™แƒแƒœแƒ˜แƒ‘แƒแƒšแƒ˜แƒ–แƒ›แƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ kanibalizm

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ canibalismo

Etymology

The term 'cannibalism' is derived from the Spanish word 'canibal,' which referred to the Carib tribe of the West Indies known for their supposed practice of human flesh consumption. This term itself originated from the Latin 'canibalis,' meaning 'savage' or 'brave,' and was used by Christopher Columbus in the late 15th century. The concept of cannibalism has been recorded across various cultures and time periods, often associated with ritualistic practices or survival scenarios. In the 19th century, the interest in cannibalism grew due to accounts of explorers and travelers encountering tribes practicing it. Over time, the understanding of cannibalism expanded to include not just ethnographic studies but also psychological and legal considerations of the act among humans.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #21,716, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.