cannibalize
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can·ni·bal·ize
(kăn′ə-bə-līz′)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.
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.
can′ni·bal·i·za′tion (-bə-lĭ-zā′shən) n.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
cannibalize
(ˈkænɪbəˌlaɪz) orcannibalise
vb
(General Engineering) (tr) to use (serviceable parts from one machine or vehicle) to repair another, esp as an alternative to using new parts
ˌcannibaliˈzation, ˌcannibaliˈsation n
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
can•ni•bal•ize
(ˈkæn ə bəˌlaɪz)v. -ized, -iz•ing. v.t.
1. to subject to cannibalism.
2. to remove parts from (a machine, vehicle, etc.) to repair or make a similar unit.
3. to remove employees from (a business) in order to build a similar one.
4. to use material from (other writers or works) in a text.
5. to cut into; cause to become diminished: new products cannibalizing sales from existing lines.
v.i. 6. to practice cannibalism.
[1940–45]
can`ni•bal•i•za′tion, n.
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
cannibalize
To remove serviceable parts from one item of equipment in order to install them on another item of equipment.
Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms. US Department of Defense 2005.
cannibalize
Past participle: cannibalized
Gerund: cannibalizing
Imperative |
---|
cannibalize |
cannibalize |
Collins English Verb Tables © HarperCollins Publishers 2011
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
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Verb | 1. | cannibalize - eat human flesh |
2. | cannibalize - use parts of something to repair something else 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" |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
Translations
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005
cannibalize
cannibalise [ˈkænɪbəlaɪz] (British) vt [+ plane, car, machine] → démonter pour en réutiliser les pièces
[+ sales] → cannibaliser
Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005
cannibalize
vt old car etc → ausschlachten
Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007
Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995