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Harpooner: meaning, definitions and examples

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harpooner

 

[ hɑːrˈpuːnər ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

whaling profession

A harpooner is a person who is skilled in the use of a harpoon, a tool traditionally used in whaling. This individual's primary responsibility is to hunt and capture large marine animals such as whales. The harpooner must possess precision and strength to effectively throw the harpoon and ensure a successful catch. Historically, this role was crucial in whaling expeditions, which were vital for various industries including oil and meat production. Over time, the profession has declined significantly due to changes in sustainability practices and whaling regulations.

Synonyms

hunter, whaler.

Examples of usage

  • The harpooner aimed carefully before launching the harpoon.
  • In the past, every whaling ship had a skilled harpooner on board.
  • The harpooner's expertise was essential for the success of the hunt.

Translations

Translations of the word "harpooner" in other languages:

🇵🇹 arpoador

🇮🇳 हार्पूनर

🇩🇪 Harpunierer

🇮🇩 penangkap ikan paus

🇺🇦 гарпунер

🇵🇱 harpunista

🇯🇵 ハープーン漁師

🇫🇷 harponnier

🇪🇸 arpón

🇹🇷 harpuncu

🇰🇷 하프너

🇸🇦 مُشَغِّلُ الحَرْبُون

🇨🇿 harpunista

🇸🇰 harpunista

🇨🇳 捕鲸者

🇸🇮 harpunar

🇮🇸 harpunari

🇰🇿 гарпуншы

🇬🇪 ჰარპუნერი

🇦🇿 harpunçu

🇲🇽 arpón

Etymology

The term 'harpooner' originates from the early 17th century, deriving from the word 'harpoon', which itself has French roots, coming from 'harpon', and the Old Provençal 'harpona'. The practice of using harpoons can be traced back to ancient civilizations for hunting large sea creatures. These early tools reflected the ingenuity of humanity in adapting materials like bone and wood to assist in fishing and hunting. As maritime cultures grew, so did the sophistication of harpoon designs, leading to the steel-tipped harpoons prevalent in the whaling industry by the 18th and 19th centuries. The role of a harpooner became defined within the whaling industry, as these individuals were not only fishermen but also adventurers navigating treacherous waters. The harpoon's evolution is tied closely to human efforts in maritime hunting practices, and the harpooner symbolizes a bygone era in maritime history.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #38,511, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.