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Cannibal - Dictionary Definition and Overview |
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Cannibal : \Can"ni*bal\, n. [Cf. F. cannibale. Columbus, in a
letter to the Spanish monarchs written in Oct., 1498,
mentions that the people of Hayti lived in great fear of the
Caribales (equivalent to E. Caribbees.), the inhabitants of
the smaller Antilles; which form of the name was afterward
changed into NL. Canibales, in order to express more forcibly
their character by a word intelligible through a Latin root
``propter rabiem caninam anthropophagorum gentis.'' The
Caribbees call themselves, in their own language. Calinago,
Carinago, Calliponam, and, abbreviated, Calina, signifying a
brave, from which Columbus formed his Caribales.]
A human being that eats human flesh; hence, any that devours
its own kind. --Darwin.
Based on Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
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Cannibal : \Can"ni*bal\, a.
Relating to cannibals or cannibalism. ``Cannibal terror.''
--Burke.
Based on Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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