What does anthropophagy mean?
Anthropophagy is a formal noun denoting the eating of human flesh by human beings — in other words, cannibalism. Derived from Greek roots meaning 'human' (anthrōpos) and 'to eat' (phagein), it is the preferred term in anthropology, archaeology, history, and medicine, where scholars discuss the practice in neutral, analytical terms. Anthropophagy may be ritual, as in funerary customs observed in some societies; survival-driven, as documented during extreme famines and sieges; or pathological. Because it sounds technical and clinical, it appears far more often in academic writing than in everyday conversation, where the simpler word 'cannibalism' dominates. Historically, the word also carried heavy cultural baggage: accusations of anthropophagy were frequently levelled at colonized peoples to depict them as savage, so modern scholarship treats such claims critically. Understanding this word offers insight not only into a universal taboo but into how language has been used to judge other cultures.
nounThe practice or custom of humans eating human flesh; cannibalism, especially when discussed as an anthropological or historical phenomenon.
- The eating of human flesh by human beings; cannibalism, whether ritual, survival-driven, or pathological.
"The archaeological evidence suggested that anthropophagy was practised at the site during periods of severe famine."
"Early European accounts of the Americas frequently alleged ritual anthropophagy among indigenous peoples."
"In extreme famines throughout history there are documented cases of survival anthropophagy."
Rarely used; the word is almost always treated as an uncountable mass noun referring to the practice in general.
"The monograph surveyed various forms of anthropophagies recorded across different cultures."
Anthropophagy comes from Greek words meaning 'man-eating' — and it was once used to accuse entire peoples of savagery, making it as much a word about prejudice as about appetite.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of anthropophagy
Anthropophagy derives from the Greek anthrōpophagos, formed from anthrōpos ('human being') and phagein ('to eat'), literally 'man-eating'. It entered English in the early 17th century, largely through Latin anthropophagia and scholarly writing on ancient accounts of exotic peoples. It shares its first root with words like anthropology and anthropomorphic, and its second with terms such as sarcophagus (literally 'flesh-eating').
Related word forms
How anthropophagy is actually used
A formal, scholarly term found chiefly in anthropology, archaeology, history, and medical literature. In everyday speech, "cannibalism" is far more common. The word carries a strong connotation of taboo and is often associated with colonial-era rhetoric that portrayed other cultures as primitive or savage, so it should be used with care.
Easily confused with anthropophagy
Anthropology is the study of humankind and its cultures, whereas anthropophagy refers specifically to the eating of human flesh.
Cannibalism is the general term for any animal eating members of its own species; anthropophagy is the more learned, technical term restricted to the practice among humans.