Harpoon

n. [Fr. harpon, Sp. arpon, L. Lat. harpo, from Pr. arpa, griffin, allied to Gr. ἅρπη, sickle; D. harpoen, Dan. & Sw. harpun, Ger. harpune, It. arpione, hinge, hook.] Harpoon. A spear or javelin used to strike and kill large fish, as whales; a harping-iron. It consists of a long shank, with a broad, flat, triangular head, sharpened at both edges, and is generally thrown by hand.