harpoon Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. 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
  2. verb spear with a harpoon
    • harpoon whales

WordNet

Har*poon" noun
Etymology
F. harpon, LL. harpo, perh. of Ger. origin, fr. the harp; cf. F. harper to take and grasp strongly, harpe a dog's claw, harpin boathook (the sense of hook coming from the shape of the harp); but cf. also Gr. the kite, sickle, and E. harpy. Cf. Harp.
Definitions
  1. 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.
Har*poon" transitive verb
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Harpooned ; present participle & verbal noun Harpooning
Definitions
  1. To strike, catch, or kill with a harpoon.

Webster 1913