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

• adelphophagy
• embryophagy

Related terms

• oophagic
• oophagous