cannibalism

noun

1. the eating of human flesh by another human being.
2. the eating of the flesh of an animal by another animal of its own kind.
3. the ceremonial eating of human flesh or parts of the human body for magical or religious purposes, as to acquire the power or skill of a person recently killed.
4. the act of pecking flesh from a live fowl by a member of the same flock.
5. the removal of parts, equipment, assets, or employees from one product, item, or business in order to use them in another.
6. the acquisition and absorption of smaller companies by a large corporation or conglomerate.

noun

1. the act of eating human flesh or the flesh of one’s own kind
2. savage and inhuman cruelty

n.

1796, from cannibal + -ism. Perhaps from French cannibalisme, from the same year.