oophagy

English

Etymology

From oo- +‎ -phagy.

Pronunciation
  • (UK) IPA(key): /əʊˈɒfədʒi/

Noun

oophagy (uncountable)

  1. (zoology) The cannibalization of subordinate eggs within a homogeneous population or the uterus; particularly as it relates to certain insect and aquatic species. [from 19th c.]
    • 2015, Theo Tait, ‘Don't wear yum-yum yellow’, London Review of Books, volume 34, number 15:
      A number of shark species go in for oophagy, or uterine cannibalism.

Synonyms
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