hara kiri
/ˌhɑrəˈkɪri/
noun
- A traditional Japanese form of ritual suicide by cutting open the abdomen, formerly practiced by samurai to avoid dishonor.
- The practice of hara-kiri was seen as an honorable way to die.
- In feudal Japan, a samurai might choose hara-kiri rather than face capture by an enemy.
- Many Westerners first learned about hara-kiri from movies about samurai warriors.
Synonyms