How Do You Spell CANNIBALIZE?

Pronunciation: [kˈanɪbə͡lˌa͡ɪz] (IPA)

The word "cannibalize" is spelled as [kan-uh-buh-lahyz] in IPA phonetic transcription. It is derived from the word "cannibal," which refers to a group of people who practice the ritual of eating human flesh. "Cannibalize" means to use parts from one machine or system to repair or improve another. The spelling of "cannibalize" is unique because it has two "b's" and two "l's," which may confuse some spellers. It is important to remember that the first syllable is pronounced as [kan], not [kan-uh].

CANNIBALIZE Meaning and Definition

  1. Cannibalize is a verb that refers to the act of using parts, resources, or materials from one item or entity to repair or create another item or entity. This term is derived from the concept of cannibalism, in which an organism consumes the flesh or body parts of another member of the same species.

    In a literal sense, cannibalize typically implies the process of removing functional components from one machine or device to be used in another similar machine in order to extend its lifespan or enhance its performance. This can occur in various industries, including electronics, automotive, and manufacturing, where salvaging parts from outdated or non-functioning equipment is a cost-effective strategy.

    However, cannibalize can also be used metaphorically in non-physical contexts, such as within organizations or markets. In these cases, it refers to the action of reallocating resources, funds, or personnel from one division or project to another in order to maximize efficiency or effectiveness. This can happen when a company takes resources from a less successful product line to support a more profitable one.

    Overall, cannibalize often conveys the idea of sacrifice or self-destruction in exchange for benefits elsewhere. It involves repurposing or redistributing resources from one entity to another, either literally or metaphorically, to improve overall functionality, longevity, or effectiveness.

Top Common Misspellings for CANNIBALIZE *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for CANNIBALIZE

Etymology of CANNIBALIZE

The word "cannibalize" can be traced back to the Spanish term "caníbal" which was derived from the Carib people, a group of indigenous Arawakan-speaking people in the Caribbean. The Caribs were perceived to have practiced cannibalism, and when encounter by European explorers, this term was used to describe their behavior. The word "caníbal" was later adopted into English as "cannibal" in the 16th century. The verb form "cannibalize" emerged in the early 20th century and refers metaphorically to the act of consuming or using one's own resources or parts for the benefit of something else.

Similar spelling words for CANNIBALIZE

Conjugate verb Cannibalize

CONDITIONAL

I would cannibalize
you would cannibalize
he/she/it would cannibalize
we would cannibalize
they would cannibalize

CONDITIONAL CONTINUOUS

I would be cannibalizing
you would be cannibalizing
he/she/it would be cannibalizing
we would be cannibalizing
they would be cannibalizing

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have cannibalize
you would have cannibalize
he/she/it would have cannibalize
we would have cannibalize
they would have cannibalize

CONDITIONAL PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I would have been cannibalizing
you would have been cannibalizing
he/she/it would have been cannibalizing
we would have been cannibalizing
they would have been cannibalizing

FUTURE

I will cannibalize
you will cannibalize
he/she/it will cannibalize
we will cannibalize
they will cannibalize

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be cannibalizing
you will be cannibalizing
he/she/it will be cannibalizing
we will be cannibalizing
they will be cannibalizing

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have cannibalized
you will have cannibalized
he/she/it will have cannibalized
we will have cannibalized
they will have cannibalized

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been cannibalizing
you will have been cannibalizing
he/she/it will have been cannibalizing
we will have been cannibalizing
they will have been cannibalizing

IMPERATIVE

you cannibalize
we let´s cannibalize

NONFINITE VERB FORMS

to cannibalize

PAST

I cannibalized
you cannibalized
he/she/it cannibalized
we cannibalized
they cannibalized

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was cannibalizing
you were cannibalizing
he/she/it was cannibalizing
we were cannibalizing
they were cannibalizing

PAST PARTICIPLE

cannibalized

PAST PERFECT

I had cannibalized
you had cannibalized
he/she/it had cannibalized
we had cannibalized
they had cannibalized

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been cannibalizing
you had been cannibalizing
he/she/it had been cannibalizing
we had been cannibalizing
they had been cannibalizing

PRESENT

I cannibalize
you cannibalize
he/she/it cannibalizes
we cannibalize
they cannibalize

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am cannibalizing
you are cannibalizing
he/she/it is cannibalizing
we are cannibalizing
they are cannibalizing

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

cannibalizing

PRESENT PERFECT

I have cannibalized
you have cannibalized
he/she/it has cannibalized
we have cannibalized
they have cannibalized

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been cannibalizing
you have been cannibalizing
he/she/it has been cannibalizing
we have been cannibalizing
they have been cannibalizing
I would have cannibalized
we would have cannibalized
you would have cannibalized
he/she/it would have cannibalized
they would have cannibalized

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