Lance

/læns/

Meaning & Definition

noun

A long weapon for thrusting, usually with a metal head and a wooden shaft.

The knight charged into battle, brandishing his lance.

A spear or a similar weapon used by cavalry.

During the jousting competition, contestants used lances to strike their opponents.

A type of long, narrow, pointed instrument for piercing.

The doctor used a lance to draw blood for testing.

verb

To pierce or wound with a lance or similar pointed weapon.

He lanced the balloon with a sharp pin, causing it to pop.

To open or pierce the skin in a medical procedure.

The surgeon lanced the abscess to relieve the pressure.

Middle English, from Old French 'lance' (from Latin 'lancea').

lance of truth

A metaphor for a courageous act of honesty or disclosure.

lance the boil

To take decisive action to address a problem.

joust

A medieval sport where knights on horseback charged at each other with lances.

polearm

A weapon with a long shaft and a pointed tip, similar to a lance.

spear

A long weapon for throwing or thrusting, resembling a lance.

To charge someone aggressively or head on.

He really lanced into the argument and took charge.

To take a risk or act boldly.

She decided to lance into that business venture without hesitation.