Definition

Noun: A large fishing net, deployed by two boats to encircle a school of fish. The net has a line along the bottom that can be drawn closed (like a purse) to trap the fish before the net is hauled aboard.

Usage

This term is used specifically in the context of commercial fishing. It refers to both the net itself and the fishing method that employs it. - The fleet uses a purse seine to catch tuna. - Deploying the purse seine requires skilled coordination between the two boats.

Advanced Usage

• As a verb (to purse-seine): The act of fishing using this method. (Note: This is a compound verb derived from the noun).
  • The company has a license to purse-seine in these waters.

Variants and Related Words

• Seine (noun): A general term for a large fishing net that hangs vertically in the water.
• Purse seiner (noun): The type of boat used for purse seining.
• Purse seining (noun): The activity or method of fishing with a purse seine.

Synonyms

• Ring net
• Encircling net

Related Phrases/Idioms

No common idioms or phrasal verbs are directly associated with this specific technical term.

Noun

1. a seine designed to be set by two boats around a school of fish and then closed at the bottom by means of a line