Harpoon
[hɑː'puːn] or [hɑr'pun]
Definition
(noun.) a spear with a shaft and barbed point for throwing; used for catching large fish or whales; a strong line is attached to it.
(verb.) spear with a harpoon; 'harpoon whales'.
Checked by Anita--From WordNet
Definition
(n.) A spear or javelin used to strike and kill large fish, as whales; a harping iron. It consists of a long shank, with a broad, fiat, triangular head, sharpened at both edges, and is thrown by hand, or discharged from a gun.
(v. t.) To strike, catch, or kill with a harpoon.
Editor: Orville
Synonyms and Synonymous
n. Harping-iron.
Checked by Lemuel
Definition
n. a dart for striking and killing whales.—v.t. to strike with the harpoon.—ns. Harpoon′er Harpooneer′ one who uses a harpoon; Harpoon′-gun a gun from which a harpoon or toggle-iron may be discharged.
Editor: Shelton
Examples
- I spotted that harpoon upon the wall, and I thought I might need it before I was through. Arthur Conan Doyle. The Return of Sherlock Holmes.
- Have you tried to drive a harpoon through a body? Arthur Conan Doyle. The Return of Sherlock Holmes.
- Right through his broad breast a steel harpoon had been driven, and it had sunk deep into the wood of the wall behind him. Arthur Conan Doyle. The Return of Sherlock Holmes.
- As they drew near, the sailor took one look at the gigantic creature and yelled to the captain: For heaven’s sake, man, don’t harpoon that thing; we will be crushed like an egg shell! Various. The Wonder Book of Knowledge.
- He had not time to get it from the sheath before I had the harpoon through him. Arthur Conan Doyle. The Return of Sherlock Holmes.
- One was the harpoon with which the deed was committed. Arthur Conan Doyle. The Return of Sherlock Holmes.
- That very night he went down to Woodman's Lee, saw Peter Carey at the hut, quarrelled with him, and killed him with the harpoon. Arthur Conan Doyle. The Return of Sherlock Holmes.
- Five harpoons and one hundred and fifty-one bullets were used in subduing the monster, and it took five days to finally kill it. Various. The Wonder Book of Knowledge.
- Fish he hooked or harpooned. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
Typist: Willard