I. ˈkanəbəˌlīz verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Usage: see -ize
transitive verb
1. : to eat the flesh of (a live animal)
2.
a. : to dismantle (as a new or usable airplane, vehicle, or other machine) for parts to be used as replacements in other machines of the same make
b. : to strip (a disabled or outmoded machine) of salvageable parts for repair or for assembling into a serviceable machine
c. : to deprive or strip (a combat group) of manpower or equipment for building up the striking power of another group
3. : to deprive or strip of integral parts or essential tools, equipment, or personnel for rehabilitating or strengthening another facility or enterprise of the same kind
war plants cannibalized by peacetime buyers
intransitive verb
1. : to practice cannibalism
2. : to cannibalize one operating unit or enterprise for building up another of the same kind
II. transitive verb
1. : to use or draw on material of (as earlier work or another person)
chose to cannibalize existing technology rather than build a new model from the ground up — Thomas O'Donnell & Jill Andresky
2. : to make use of (a part taken from one thing) in building, repairing, or creating something else
3. : to take (sales) away from an existing product by selling or being sold as a similar but new product usually from the same manufacturer ; also : to affect (as an existing product) adversely by cannabalizing sales