harpoon line
Noun: A strong, heavy rope or cable specifically attached to a harpoon. Its primary function is to connect the harpoon to the whaler's or harpooner's boat after the harpoon has been thrown and has struck a large sea creature, such as a whale. This line allows the crew to secure the catch and control the animal.
The term "harpoon line" is used specifically in the context of whaling or large-game fishing at sea. It refers to the physical rope that is an integral part of the harpooning equipment.
Examples: * The harpooner threw the iron, and the harpoon line snaked out rapidly from its coil. * After the whale was struck, it dove deep, pulling the entire harpoon line from the boat. * The crew carefully managed the tension on the harpoon line as the exhausted whale was drawn alongside the ship.
- "To pay out the harpoon line": To let the rope run out freely from its storage to prevent it from snapping or pulling the boat under when the harpooned animal dives or swims forcefully.
- The men had to pay out the harpoon line quickly to avoid being capsized.
- Whale line: A synonym often used in historical whaling contexts.
- Harpoon rope: A less technical synonym.
- Harpoon (noun): The barbed spear-like weapon itself, to which the harpoon line is attached.
- Harpooner (noun): The person who throws the harpoon.
- Whale line
- Harpoon rope
- Fishing line (in a very broad, non-specific sense for catching very large fish)
- To be fast to a whale: A whaling idiom meaning to have successfully harpooned a whale and be connected to it via the harpoon line.
- The boat was fast to the whale for over six hours.
- a strong rope for making the catch fast to the harpooner's boat