harpoon

Definition

A spearlike weapon with a barbed head used in hunting whales and large fish.

Etymology

From Old French harpon, from Latin harpaga, a rare variant of Latin harpagō, from Ancient Greek ἁρπάγη (harpágē, “hook”), from ἁρπάζω (harpázō, “to snatch away, to carry off, to seize, to captivate”). Sense and spelling perhaps influenced by Dutch harpoen (“harpoon”). Doublet of harpagon.

Example Sentences

• "I took my harpoon out of my dirty red bandana."