cannibalize (redirected from cannibalizing)

can·ni·bal·ize  (kn-b-lz)

v. can·ni·bal·ized, can·ni·bal·iz·ing, can·ni·bal·iz·es

v.tr.

1. To remove serviceable parts from (damaged airplanes, for example) for use in the repair of other equipment of the same kind.

2. To deprive of vital elements or resources, such as personnel, equipment, or funding, for use elsewhere: "It becomes necessary to cannibalize unsuccessful projects to fund those which can proceed" (Daily Report for Executives).

3. To draw on as a major source: "cannibalizes the lives of his wife and friends for his second-rate novels" (Washington Post).

4. To practice cannibalism on.

v.intr.

To practice cannibalism.

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canni·bal·i·zation (-b-l-zshn) n.

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cannibalize or -ise

Verb

[-izing, -ized] or -ising, -ised to use parts from (one machine or vehicle) to repair another

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To remove serviceable parts from one item of equipment in order to install them on another item of equipment.

Thesaurus

Verb	1.	cannibalize - eat human flesh cannibalise ingest, consume, have, take in, take - serve oneself to, or consume regularly; "Have another bowl of chicken soup!"; "I don't take sugar in my coffee"
	2.	cannibalize - use parts of something to repair something else cannibalise apply, employ, use, utilise, utilize - put into service; make work or employ for a particular purpose or for its inherent or natural purpose; "use your head!"; "we only use Spanish at home"; "I can't use this tool"; "Apply a magnetic field here"; "This thinking was applied to many projects"; "How do you utilize this tool?"; "I apply this rule to get good results"; "use the plastic bags to store the food"; "He doesn't know how to use a computer"