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hara–kiri

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noun \ˌher-i-ˈkir-ē, ˌha-ri-, -ˈker-ē, -ˈka-rē\
variants: or less commonly

Definition of hara–kiri

  1. 1 :  ritual suicide by disembowelment practiced by the Japanese samurai or formerly decreed by a court in lieu of the death penalty

  2. 2 :  suicide 1b

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Origin and Etymology of hara–kiri

Japanese harakiri, from hara belly + kiri cutting

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