harpoon gun

noun

1. a small cannon for shooting harpoons.

Word History and Origins

Origin of harpoon gun¹

First recorded in 1810–20

Example Sentences

Looking at Hank, he saw that the old fighter of the seas had dropped the harpoon-gun and was holding poised the long lance.

From Project Gutenberg

As respected the second mode, the use of the harpoon-gun, there was no novelty in that certainly.

From Project Gutenberg

The bird's-nest where the look-out man is posted is on the foremast, and the harpoon gun is in the bows of the vessel.

From Project Gutenberg

They go out in large open boats, six men to a boat, and shoot the harpoon 220 into the whale from the harpoon-gun.

From Project Gutenberg

The harpoon gun, designed to throw a harpoon, is but little used by American ships, though quite generally among English whalers.

From Project Gutenberg