/hahr"euh kear"ee, har"euh-, har"ee-/ , n.
1. Also called seppuku . ceremonial suicide by ripping open the abdomen with a dagger or knife: formerly practiced in Japan by members of the warrior class when disgraced or sentenced to death.
2. suicide or any suicidal action; a self-destructive act: political hara-kiri.
Also, hari-kari .
[ 1855-60; hara belly (earlier fara para ) + kiri cut ]