noun B2 Upper-Intermediate Common

lance

lahns

Lance (noun) means a long spear, traditionally carried by a mounted soldier or knight. Example: “The knight lowered his lance and charged.”

noun

A long spear, traditionally carried by a mounted soldier or knight.

"The knight lowered his lance and charged."

verb

To cut open, especially a boil or abscess, with a sharp instrument to drain it.

"The nurse had to lance the infected wound."

How to use lance

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA long spear used by mounted soldiers, or (as a verb) to pierce and drain something like a boil.

Common pairings

lance a boil jousting lance

Word forms

lanced past tense, lances plural, Lances plural, lances singular

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The knight lowered his _____ and charged.

Etymology

From Old French lance, from Latin lancea, a word for a light spear.

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

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spear pike javelin pierce puncture incise

Related words

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Rhymes for lance

dance Nance seance chance nuance trance stance glance balance advance finance enhance

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Frequently asked questions

What does “lance” mean?

The word “lance” means a long spear, traditionally carried by a mounted soldier or knight. In plain terms, a long spear used by mounted soldiers, or (as a verb) to pierce and drain something like a boil.

How do you pronounce “lance”?

“Lance” is pronounced lahns (/læns/ in IPA).

How do you use “lance” in a sentence?

Here is “lance” used in a sentence: “The knight lowered his lance and charged.”

What part of speech is “lance”?

Depending on how it is used, “lance” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “lance” come from?

The word “lance” comes from Latin. From Old French lance, from Latin lancea, a word for a light spear.

Is “lance” a common word?

“Lance” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

How many meanings does “lance” have?

“Lance” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a long spear, traditionally carried by a mounted soldier or knight.

What is the difference between a lance and a spear?

A lance is a specific kind of long spear designed to be carried by a mounted soldier or knight and used in a charge. A spear is the general term for any pole with a pointed head, thrown or thrust, and used on foot or horseback.

What is the difference between a lance and a javelin?

A lance is a long, heavy spear held and thrust from horseback rather than thrown. A javelin is a lighter spear made to be thrown a distance, whether as a weapon or in athletics.

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