First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1lance
noun \ˈlan(t)s\
: a long, pointed weapon used in the past by knights riding on horses
Full Definition of LANCE
1
: a steel-tipped spear carried by mounted knights or light cavalry
2
: any of various sharp objects suggestive of a lance: as a : lancet b : a spear used for killing whales or fish
3
: lancer 1b
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Origin of LANCE
Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin lancea
2lance
verb
medical : to cut (an infected area on a person's skin) with a sharp tool so that pus will flow out
lancedlanc·ing
Full Definition of LANCE
transitive verb
1
a : to pierce with or as if with a lance b : to open with or as if with a lancet <lance a boil>
2
: to throw forward : hurl
intransitive verb
: to move forward quickly
See lance defined for English-language learners
Origin of LANCE
Middle English launcen, from Anglo-French lancer, from Late Latin lanceare, from Latin lancea
First Known Use: 14th century
Related to LANCE
LANCE Defined for Kids
1lance
noun \ˈlans\
Definition of LANCE for Kids
: a weapon with a long handle and a sharp steel head used by knights on horseback
2lance
verb
lancedlanc·ing
Definition of LANCE for Kids
: to cut open with a small sharp instrument <The doctor lanced the boil.>
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