die for country; historical chastity suicide
Meanings
3 senses · 8 examplesverb
to sacrifice one's life for one's country after military defeat or national destruction (rather than surrender)
archaicOriginally referred to officials and soldiers who chose death over surrender when their state fell. Often carries a heroic connotation.
When the city fell, the general died heroically for his honor, swearing never to surrender.
Many scholar-officials chose to die for their principles at the end of the Ming Dynasty, unwilling to serve a second ruler.
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Though those who die for honor are gone, their moral integrity remains eternal.
verb
(of women, historical) to sacrifice one's life resisting violation or humiliation
archaicHistorical term describing women who chose death over being raped or dishonored, often considered a form of preserving chastity.
Ancient times often had stories of virtuous women who died for honor to preserve their purity.
She would rather die than submit, ultimately dying for honor to preserve her reputation.
verb
(of women, historical) to commit suicide after one's husband's death to demonstrate chastity
archaicRefers to the feudal practice of 'zhēnjié' (贞节) where widows were expected to remain chaste or die to prove loyalty to their deceased husbands. Widely criticized as oppressive today.
In feudal times, some women were forced to commit suicide after their husbands' deaths in exchange for a chastity archway.
This custom requiring widows to commit suicide has been completely abolished.
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She would rather commit suicide for honor than remarry someone else.