Definition of "harpooners" [harpooners]

• Plural form of harpooner. (noun)

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• "The crew of a whale ship usually consists of forty to fifty men, comprising several classes of officers, such as harpooners, boat-steerers, line-managers, &c. together with fore-mastmen, landmen and apprentices."
• "Sea Shepherd had pursued the fleet through treacherous waters, hurling rancid butter on to the decks of whaling ships and positioning its boats between the harpooners and their prey."
• "For over thirty years, Greenpeace has been the most outspoken opponent of commercial whaling, taking action to stop the harpooners in their home countries, at sea and in the political arena of IWC meetings and our commitment to bringing about its end in all of our oceans remains."