Definition

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.

Usage

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.

Advanced Usage

• "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.

Variants and Related Words

• 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.

Synonyms

• Whale line
• Harpoon rope
• Fishing line (in a very broad, non-specific sense for catching very large fish)

Related Phrases

• 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.

Noun

1. a strong rope for making the catch fast to the harpooner's boat