harpooner
1
8.9
A person who throws a long spear to catch whales and other large sea animals
- noun
- /hɑːrˈpuːnər/
:
arpón
- A seasoned harpooner knows how to strike quickly and accurately in the hunt for giant sea creatures.
- harpooner on a whaling
Examples
-
I'm a harpooner by trade.
-
When I was a boy, every squirt wanted to be a harpooner or a swordfisherman.
-
This is Ned Land, master harpooner.
-
Second mate's harpooner.
-
You're Captain's harpooner.
-
The harpooner skillfully aimed at the whale from the side of the boat.
-
As the harpooner prepared to launch the harpoon, the crew held their breath in anticipation.
Synonyms
whaler
vsharpooner
9
6.3
A person who hunts whales to sell them for money
focuses on the specialist spear role rather than the ship's commercial duties
1
9.9
A person who uses a harpoon to catch whales or large fish
has identical meaning but is an alternate spelling
1
9.9
A person who hunts whales or works on a ship that catches whales
focuses on using the spear to hunt rather than joining the whole crew
Surface Forms
harpooner singular
harpooners plural
Morphology
Etymology
Harpooner comes from harpoon and the ending -er. A harpoon is a long spear, originally like a 'hook' used to catch whales and other big sea animals, so a harpooner is the person who throws or uses that spear while hunting at sea.