lance Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun a long pointed rod used as a tool or weapon
shaft; spear.
noun an implement with a shaft and barbed point used for catching fish
gig; fizgig; fishgig; spear.
noun a surgical knife with a pointed double-edged blade; used for punctures and small incisions
lancet.
verb move quickly, as if by cutting one's way
- Planes lanced towards the shore
verb pierce with a lance, as in a knights' fight
verb open by piercing with a lancet
- lance a boil

OE. lance, F. lance, fr. L. lancea; cf. Gr. . Cf. Launch.

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.
A soldier armed with a lance; a lancer.
(Founding) A small iron rod which suspends the core of the mold in casting a shell.
(Mil.) An instrument which conveys the charge of a piece of ordnance and forces it home.
(Pyrotech.) One of the small paper cases filled with combustible composition, which mark the outlines of a figure.

imperfect & past participle Lanced ; present participle & verbal noun Lancing

To pierce with a lance, or with any similar weapon.
Seized the due victim, and with fury lanced Her back. Dryden.
To open with a lancet; to pierce; as, to lance a vein or an abscess.
To throw in the manner of a lance. See Lanch.