LANCE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does lance mean? 

• LANCE (noun)
  The noun LANCE has 3 senses:

1. a long pointed rod used as a tool or weapon

2. an implement with a shaft and barbed point used for catching fish

3. a surgical knife with a pointed double-edged blade; used for punctures and small incisions

  Familiarity information: LANCE used as a noun is uncommon.

• LANCE (verb)
  The verb LANCE has 3 senses:

1. move quickly, as if by cutting one's way

2. pierce with a lance, as in a knights' fight

3. open by piercing with a lancet

  Familiarity information: LANCE used as a verb is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• LANCE (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A long pointed rod used as a tool or weapon

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

lance; shaft; spear

Hypernyms ("lance" is a kind of...):

arm; weapon; weapon system (any instrument or instrumentality used in fighting or hunting)

Meronyms (parts of "lance"):

barb (a subsidiary point facing opposite from the main point that makes an arrowhead or spear hard to remove)

spear-point; spearhead; spearpoint (the head and sharpened point of a spear)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "lance"):

assagai; assegai (the slender spear of the Bantu-speaking people of Africa)

javelin (a spear thrown as a weapon or in competitive field events)

trident (a spear with three prongs)

Derivation:

lance (pierce with a lance, as in a knights' fight)

Sense 2

Meaning:

An implement with a shaft and barbed point used for catching fish

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

fishgig; fizgig; gig; lance; spear

Hypernyms ("lance" is a kind of...):

implement (instrumentation (a piece of equipment or tool) used to effect an end)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "lance"):

harpoon (a spear with a shaft and barbed point for throwing; used for catching large fish or whales; a strong line is attached to it)

leister (a spear with three or more prongs; used for spearing fish (especially salmon))

Holonyms ("lance" is a member of...):

fishing gear; fishing rig; fishing tackle; rig; tackle (gear used in fishing)

Sense 3

Meaning:

A surgical knife with a pointed double-edged blade; used for punctures and small incisions

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

lance; lancet

Hypernyms ("lance" is a kind of...):

surgical knife (a very sharp knife used in surgery)

Derivation:

lance (open by piercing with a lancet)

• LANCE (verb)

Present simple: I / you / we / they lance    ... he / she / it lances   
Past simple: lanced   
Past participle: lanced   
-ing form: lancing   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Move quickly, as if by cutting one's way

Classified under:

Verbs of walking, flying, swimming

Context example:

Planes lanced towards the shore

Hypernyms (to "lance" is one way to...):

go; locomote; move; travel (change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically)

Sentence frames:

Something ----s
Somebody ----s
Something is ----ing PP
Somebody ----s PP

Sense 2

Meaning:

Pierce with a lance, as in a knights' fight

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Hypernyms (to "lance" is one way to...):

pierce; thrust (penetrate or cut through with a sharp instrument)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody

Derivation:

lance (a long pointed rod used as a tool or weapon)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Open by piercing with a lancet

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Context example:

lance a boil

Hypernyms (to "lance" is one way to...):

open; open up (cause to open or to become open)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

lance (a surgical knife with a pointed double-edged blade; used for punctures and small incisions)

 Context examples 

In two days' time is the vepres du tournoi, when we may see if your lance is as quick as your wit.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

The third showed the pinnacle of an iceberg piercing a polar winter sky: a muster of northern lights reared their dim lances, close serried, along the horizon.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

There are free-lances, you know, who earn as much as four or five hundred a month.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

The Professor charged up and down the green aisles like a stout Teutonic knight, with a pole for a lance, leading on the boys, who made a hook and ladder company of themselves, and performed wonders in the way of ground and lofty tumbling.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

By your leave, I have no doubt that you are skilled in land fighting and the marshalling of lances, but, by my soul! you will find it another thing upon the sea.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

But he, on the other hand, a wit in his own class, a gay quizzer and laughter-maker at dances and Sunday picnics, had found the making of fun and the breaking of good- natured lances simple enough in this environment.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

Sir John, said the prince as he rode through the winding streets on his way to the list, I should have been glad to have splintered a lance to-day.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

“There is no better seat and no truer lance, sire,” said Chandos; “but, if I may say so without fear of offence, it were not fitting that you should join in this debate.”

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Sir William Beauchamp went down before the practiced lance of the Captal de Buch.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

They were armed to the teeth with lance, sword, and mace, with square shields notched at the upper right-hand corner to serve as a spear-rest.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)