English · Word Candidate

lance

/lɑːns/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: lances · lancing · lanced

Sense 1

Meaning · English

A weapon of war, consisting of a long shaft or handle and a steel blade or head; a spear carried by horsemen.

Noun

Thy brother’s blood the thirsty earth hath drunk, Broach’d with the steely point of Clifford’s lance[…]

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Meaning · English

A wooden spear, sometimes hollow, used in jousting or tilting, designed to shatter on impact with the opposing knight’s armour.

Noun

What will you do, good greybeard? Break a lance, And run a-tilt at Death within a chair?

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Meaning · English

To pierce with a lance, or with any similar weapon.

Verb

Seiz'd the due Victim, and with Fury lanch'd Her Back

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Meaning · English

To open with a lancet; to prick or cut open with a sharp instrument; to pierce.

Verb

to lance a vein or an abscess

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

What does “lance” mean?

A weapon of war, consisting of a long shaft or handle and a steel blade or head; a spear carried by horsemen.

Is “lance” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.