English Explanatory Dictionary

hara-kiri

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. Ceremonial suicide by disembowelment, as by slicing open the abdomen with a dagger or knife: formerly practised in Japan by the samurai when disgraced or sentenced to death.
  2. Suicide or any suicidal action.
  3. An act against one's own interests.

Pronunciation

/ˌhæɹəˈkɪɹi/ /ˌhɑɹəˈkɪɹi/ /ˌhæɹiˈkæɹi/ /ˌhɛɹiˈkɛɹi/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-hara-kiri.wav

Word forms

hara-kiri harakiri hari-kari harikari harikiri

Etymology

Borrowed from Japanese 腹切り (harakiri), ultimately from 腹 (hara, “belly”) + 切る (kiru, “to cut”).

Synonyms

seppuku

Related words

bushido kamikaze seppuku suicide
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