harpoon
noun
a barbed, spearlike missile attached to a rope, and thrown by hand or shot from a gun, used for killing and capturing whales and large fish.
were harpooning
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past progressiveof harpoon.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In Denmark Author Freuchen went to work to make money with as much frank delight as if he were harpooning a fine catch of seals.
From Time Magazine Archive
We had gone one morning about the southern cape, and were harpooning swordfish and the gigantic sunfish when a commotion a thousand feet away brought shouts of warning from my companions.
From White Shadows in the South Seas by O'Brien, Frederick
You did a lot of shouting, I admit, and nearly knocked my head off by flinging that infernal oar at me as though you thought you were harpooning a whale.
From A Poached Peerage by Magnay, William
The natives, afraid of our boats, decamped, likewise the fishermen, who were harpooning fish from small fishing stations among the reeds.
From The Albert N'Yanza, Great Basin of the Nile by Baker, Samuel White, Sir
He led Saxton in a descent upon an array of long tables at which men were harpooning sandwiches and dipping salad.
From The Main Chance by Nicholson, Meredith
