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

/ ˌhærəˈkɪrɪ; ˌhærɪˈkɑːrɪ /

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 who is this man behind what seems like political hara-kiri for the opposition - an inside saboteur or a Zanu-PF proxy, as alleged by the CCC?

From BBC

He said such shame could only be washed away by committing seppuku - a form of suicide by disembowelment, also known as hara-kiri - at a meeting of the Japanese cabinet after Kishida's return.

From Reuters

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

From Reuters

But in the case of Yukio Mishima, the Japanese author known for novels including “The Temple of the Golden Pavilion” who died by ritual hara-kiri suicide in 1970,these two dimensions are neck and neck.

From New York Times

He favored quick, dramatic moves; on his first day at Dunlop, he ousted 11 of the company’s 13 board members, something The Times of London deemed “management by hara-kiri.”

From Seattle Times