hara-kiri

[ hahr-uh-keer-ee, har-uh-, har-ee- ]

noun

1. Also called seppuku. ceremonial suicide by ripping open the abdomen with a dagger or knife: formerly practiced in Japan by members of the warrior class when disgraced or sentenced to death.
2. suicide or any suicidal action; a self-destructive act:

   political hara-kiri.

hara-kiri

/ ˌhærɪˈkɑːrɪ; ˌhærəˈkɪrɪ /

noun

1. (formerly, in Japan) ritual suicide by disembowelment with a sword when disgraced or under sentence of death Also calledseppuku

hara-kiri

1. A ritual of suicide, associated with warriors in traditional Japanese society.

Word History and Origins

Origin of hara-kiri¹

First recorded in 1855–60; from Japanese, equivalent to hara “belly” (earlier fara, from unattested para ) + kiri “cut”

Word History and Origins

Origin of hara-kiri¹

C19: from Japanese taboo slang, from hara belly + kiri cutting

Example Sentences

So I suspect Daschle made it easier for Obama by committing hara-kiri.

From The Daily Beast

Saying a prayer by the water's edge, he committed hara-kiri.

From Project Gutenberg

It was with this short sword that the famous hara-kiri was committed.

From Project Gutenberg

Now, my readers will understand that hara-kiri, or seppuku, was not a mere suicidal process.

From Project Gutenberg

Civil war in America; universal hara-kiri in Europe; the dry rot of wealth wasting itself in self-indulgence.

From Project Gutenberg

He took it with the expression of one to whom a nice, shiny blade has just been handed for purposes of hara-kiri.

From Project Gutenberg