Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Lance?

\Lance\, n. [OE. lance, F. lance, fr. L. lancea; cf. Gr. ?. Cf. {Launch}.] 1. A weapon of war, consisting of a long shaft or handle and a steel blade or head; a spear carried by horsemen, and often decorated with a small flag; also, a spear or harpoon used by whalers and fishermen. A braver soldier never couched lance. --Shak. 2. A soldier armed with a lance; a lancer. 3. (Founding) A small iron rod which suspends the core of the mold in casting a shell. 4. (Mil.) An instrument which conveys the charge of a piece of ordnance and forces it home. 5. (Pyrotech.) One of the small paper cases filled with combustible composition, which mark the outlines of a figure. {Free lance}, in the Middle Ages, and subsequently, a knight or roving soldier, who was free to engage for any state or commander that purchased his services; hence, a person who assails institutions or opinions on his own responsibility without regard to party lines or deference to authority. {Lance bucket} (Cavalry), a socket attached to a saddle or stirrup strap, in which to rest the but of a lance. {Lance corporal}, same as {Lancepesade}. {Lance knight}, a lansquenet. --B. Jonson. {Lance snake} (Zo["o]l.), the fer-de-lance. {Stink-fire lance} (Mil.), a kind of fuse filled with a composition which burns with a suffocating odor; -- used in the counter operations of miners. {To break a lance}, to engage in a tilt or contest.
\Lance\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Lanced}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Lancing}.] 1. To pierce with a lance, or with any similar weapon. Seized the due victim, and with fury lanced Her back. --Dryden. 2. To open with a lancet; to pierce; as, to lance a vein or an abscess. 3. To throw in the manner of a lance. See {Lanch}.