Dictionary

harping iron en · NOUN

Etymology

From French harper (“to grasp strongly”). See harpoon.

Meanings

1. (archaic) A harpoon.
   • They row up gently to the Whale, and so he will scarcely shun them; and when the Harpineer, standing ready fitted, sees his opportunity, he strikes his Harping-Iron into the Whale about or before the Fins, rather than toward the Tail. December 9 1667, Richard Norwood, Philosophical Transactions/Volume 2/Number 30, an extract of a letter, page 166:
   • it [a whale] was killed with a harping iron , struck in the head 1658 June 12 (Gregorian calendar), John Evelyn, “[Diary entry for June 3 1658]”, in William Bray, editor, Memoirs, Illustrative of the Life and Writings of John Evelyn, […], 2nd edition, volume I, London: Henry Colburn, […]; and sold by John and Arthur Arch, […], published 1819, →OCLC:

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