Definition

1. Noun:
   • Ritual suicide by self-disembowelment: The act of killing oneself by cutting open the abdomen with a sword or knife, specifically as a formal, honorable ritual in traditional Japanese samurai culture.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The defeated samurai chose to commit hara-kiri to preserve his honor.
  • The practice of hara-kiri was a solemn ritual with strict procedures.

Advanced Usage

• "To commit hara-kiri": This is the standard verb phrase used with the noun.

  • The general was ordered to commit hara-kiri for his failure in battle.

• Figurative/Modern Use: In contemporary, non-literal contexts, it can describe an act of severe self-sacrifice or self-destructive behavior, often in business or politics.

  • The CEO said the new policy would be economic hara-kiri for the company.

Variants and Related Words

• Seppuku (n): The more formal Japanese term for the same ritual. While "hara-kiri" is the common term in English, "seppuku" is often used in more academic or precise contexts.
  • He studied the historical differences between seppuku and other forms of ritual suicide.

Synonyms

• Ritual suicide: A general term for suicide performed as part of a religious or cultural ceremony.
• Self-disembowelment: The specific physical act, though this term lacks the cultural and ritual connotations of "hara-kiri."

Notes on Meaning

• Cultural Specificity: "Hara-kiri" refers specifically to the Japanese samurai practice. It is not a general synonym for suicide.
• Connotation: The word carries strong connotations of honor, duty, and feudal Japanese tradition. It is a grave and formal act, not an impulsive one.

Noun

1. ritual suicide by self-disembowelment on a sword; practiced by samurai in the traditional Japanese society