harping iron
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English[edit]
Etymology[edit]
From French harper (“to grasp strongly”). See harpoon.
Noun[edit]
harping iron (plural harping irons)
- (archaic) A harpoon.
- 1658 June 13 (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:
- it [a whale] was killed with a harping iron , struck in the head
- December 9 1667, Richard Norwood, Philosophical Transactions/Volume 2/Number 30, an extract of a letter, page 166:
- 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.
References[edit]
- “harping iron”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC.