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lily iron

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noun
  1. a harpoon whose head may be detached.
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Origin of lily iron

First recorded in 1830–40
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for lily iron

Historical Examples

  • The lily-iron is, in principle, exactly what a whaleman would describe by the word “toggle.”

    Tales of Fishes

    Zane Grey

  • Upon the end of the “shank” fits the head of the harpoon, known by the names swordfish-iron, lily-iron, and Indian dart.

  • Triced up to the jib stay was the long harpoon with its head, known as the 'lily-iron.'

British Dictionary definitions for lily iron

lily iron

noun
  1. a harpoon, the head of which is detachable
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Word Origin

C19: from the shape of its shaft, which resembles lily leaves
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012