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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

Lance \Lance\ (l[a^]ns), n. [OE. lance, F. lance, fr. L. lancea;
cf. Gr. lo`gchh. 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.
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A braver soldier never couched lance. --Shak.
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2. A soldier armed with a lance; a lancer.
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3. (Founding) A small iron rod which suspends the core of the
mold in casting a shell.
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4. (Mil.) An instrument which conveys the charge of a piece
of ordnance and forces it home.
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5. (Pyrotech.) One of the small paper cases filled with
combustible composition, which mark the outlines of a
figure.
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6. (Med.) A lancet.
[PJC]

{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.
See also {freelance}, n. and a., and {freelancer}.

{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} (Zool.), 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.
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Lance \Lance\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Lanced}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Lancing}.]
1. To pierce with a lance, or with any similar weapon.
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Seized the due victim, and with fury lanced
Her back. --Dryden.
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2. To open with a lancet; to pierce; as, to lance a vein or
an abscess.
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3. To throw in the manner of a lance. See {Lanch}.
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