noun

harpoon

harpoon

The whaler aimed the harpoon carefully.

The whaler aimed the harpoon carefully.

((a harpoon)) a barbed spear-like missile The whaler threw the harpoon.

spear, lance, javelin

From Old French 'harpon' (a cramp iron, clasp), from 'harpe' (a claw, dog's claw).

Imagine a 'harp' with a sharp 'point' on it, used to spear a fish. The 'oon' sound is like 'soon' you will catch the fish.

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