cannibal
NounWordNet 3.0
Noun (1)
- a person who eats human fleshSynonyms: man-eateranthropophagusanthropophagite
Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)
Cannibal \Can"ni*bal\, n. [Cf. F. cannibale. Columbus, in a letter to the Spanish monarchs written in Oct., 1498, mentions that the people of Haiti lived in great fear of the Caribales (equivalent to E. Caribbees.), the inhabitants of the smaller Antilles; which form of the name was afterward changed into NL. Canibales, in order to express more forcibly their character by a word intelligible through a Latin root "propter rabiem caninam anthropophagorum gentis." The Caribbees call themselves, in their own language. Calinago, Carinago, Calliponam, and, abbreviated, Calina, signifying a brave, from which Columbus formed his Caribales.] A human being that eats human flesh; hence, any that devours its own kind. --Darwin. [1913 Webster]
Cannibal \Can"ni*bal\, a. Relating to cannibals or cannibalism. "Cannibal terror." --Burke. [1913 Webster]
The Devil's Dictionary
CANNIBAL, n. A gastronome of the old school who preserves the simple tastes and adheres to the natural diet of the pre-pork period.