transitive verb, intransitive verb cannibalized, cannibalizing
- to strip (old or worn equipment) of parts for use in other units to help keep them in service
- to take any or all personnel or components from (one organization) for use in building up another
- to swallow up or devour (another of the same kind): used figuratively
- to incorporate (parts of someone else's writing, painting, or music or of one's own earlier work) into one's current efforts