leister

American  

[lee-ster] / ˈli stər /

noun

1. a spearlike implement having three or more prongs, for use in spearing fish.

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verb (used with object)

1. to spear (fish) with a leister.

leister British  

/ ˈliːstə /

noun

1. a spear with three or more prongs for spearing fish, esp salmon

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verb

1. (tr) to spear (a fish) with a leister

Etymology

Origin of leister

1525–35; < Old Norse ljōstr salmon-spear, akin to ljōsta to strike

Example Sentences

By the by, Clinkum, I want a leister of your making; for I see there is no other tradesman makes them so well.

From The Shepherd's Calendar Volume I (of II) by Hogg, James

The leister used in "sunning" or in "burning the water" differed somewhat in shape from the weapon with which Tam Purdie secured his big kipper.

From Stories of the Border Marches by Lang, Jeanie

I there wi’ something did forgather, That put me in an eerie swither; An awfu’ scythe, out-owre ae shouther, Clear-dangling, hang; A three-taed leister on the ither Lay, large an’ lang.

From The Complete Works of Robert Burns: Containing his Poems, Songs, and Correspondence. With a New Life of the Poet, and Notices, Critical and Biographical by Allan Cunningham by Burns, Robert

With the leister we would soon have a fine one that way, and if we had a lantern ready, we might take a few by ‘sunning’ besides.”

From John Deane of Nottingham Historic Adventures by Land and Sea by Kingston, William Henry Giles

With this little leister the men cast up fish on the ice with incredible dexterity.

From The Voyage of the Vega round Asia and Europe, Volume I and Volume II by Leslie, Alexander, fl. 1879-1882