hara-kiri

American  

[hahr-uh-keer-ee, har-uh-, har-ee-] / ˈhɑr əˈkɪər i, ˈhær ə-, ˈhær i- /

Also hari-kari

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.

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hara-kiri British  

/ ˌhærəˈkɪrɪ, ˌhærɪˈkɑːrɪ /

noun

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

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hara-kiri Cultural  

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

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Etymology

Origin of hara-kiri

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

Example Sentences

"We cannot commit hara-kiri with the hope of hurting Russia"

From Reuters • Apr. 20, 2022

Campaign strategists largely regard unprompted confessionals as a pointless form of political hara-kiri.

From Washington Post • Oct. 19, 2018

The historical basis lies in events at the beginning of that century, when a lord, Asano, was ordered to commit hara-kiri after a conflict with another lord, Kira.

From New York Times • Dec. 24, 2013

Some said it could have been "a little bit of professional hara-kiri," he said.

From BBC • Oct. 21, 2013

Several of the leaders were captured, among whom were Mitsunari, Konishi, and Ōtani, who being Christians deemed it unworthy their faith to commit hara-kiri.

From Japan by Murray, David