harpon

harpoon

noun ar-PON Rare

Origin: Dutch harpoen, from Old French harpon, clamp

Usage Note

Harpon is the pointed spear-like weapon thrown or fired to catch large sea creatures. Lancer un harpon is to throw a harpoon; un fusil harpon is a spear-gun. The related verb harponner means both to harpoon and, colloquially, to buttonhole someone.

Examples

"Le pêcheur lança son harpon vers la baleine."

Natural Translation

The fisherman threw his harpoon at the whale.

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