hara–kiri

noun \ˌha-ri-ˈkir-ē, -ˈka-rē\

Definition of HARA-KIRI

: ritual suicide by disembowelment practiced by the Japanese samurai or formerly decreed by a court in lieu of the death penalty

: suicide 1b

hara–kiri also hari–kari \ˌha-ri-ˈkir-ē, -ˈka-rē\

Japanese harakiri, from hara belly + kiri cutting

First Known Use: 1840

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