cannibalize: Meaning and Definition of

can•ni•bal•ize

Pronunciation: (kan'u-bu-līz"), [key]
— v., -ized, -iz•ing.
—v.t.
  1. to subject to cannibalism.
  2. to remove parts, equipment, assets, employees, etc., from (an item, product, or business) in order to use them in another: to cannibalize old airplanes for replacement parts.
  3. to cut into; cause to become reduced; diminish: New products introduced in the next six months will cannibalize sales from established lines.
—v.i.
  1. to act cannibalistically; practice cannibalism.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
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