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