whaling-gun
Definition
Noun: A whaling-gun is a specialized firearm designed and used for hunting whales. It typically fires a harpoon attached to a rope, which is used to capture or kill the whale.
Usage Examples
- (The firearm used for whale hunting was prepared with its projectile.)
- (The gun is positioned at the front of the vessel for immediate use.)
Advanced Usage
- "to fire a whaling-gun": to activate this weapon in the context of whaling.
- The captain gave the order to fire the whaling-gun at the surfacing whale. (The command was given to shoot the harpoon from the weapon.)
Variants and Related Words
- Whaling (n): the practice or industry of hunting and killing whales for their oil, meat, or other products.
- Modern whaling has become highly controversial due to conservation concerns. (The activity of hunting whales is debated.)
- Harpoon (n): the projectile or spear fired from a whaling-gun.
- The harpoon attached to the whaling-gun was designed to lodge in the whale's body. (The weapon's projectile is specifically shaped for this purpose.)
Synonyms
- Whale gun: another term for a whaling-gun, emphasizing its function.
- Harpoon gun: a broader term for any firearm that shoots a harpoon, often used in whaling.
Related Idioms
- "a whaling-gun approach": a metaphorical expression for a direct, forceful, or aggressive method of solving a problem.
- His whaling-gun approach to negotiations left no room for compromise. (He used a blunt and aggressive tactic.)
Phrasal Verbs
- Aim at (with a whaling-gun): to point the weapon toward a target.
- The hunter aimed the whaling-gun at the whale's flank. (He directed the firearm toward the animal's side.)