Lance
/læns/
Definitions
2 meaningsA long, wooden shaft with a pointed metal head, used as a weapon.
/læns/
A long, light spear used by mounted knights or other warriors.
The knight carried a lance to the tournament.
💡 Simply: Imagine a long stick with a sharp point that knights used in olden times to fight with! Like a really long, pointy sword for horseback riding.
👶 For kids: A long stick with a sharp point that knights used to fight with.
More Examples
The lance was a key weapon in medieval warfare.
He held the lance steady as he charged.
How It's Used
"The knight charged into battle with his lance lowered."
"In some equestrian competitions, riders must knock targets off the lance."
To pierce or cut open, often with a sharp instrument, such as to drain fluid from a blister or boil.
/læns/
To pierce or cut open with a lancet or a sharp instrument.
The doctor lanced the abscess.
💡 Simply: To poke something with a sharp tool to open it up, like a doctor might do to a blister.
👶 For kids: To make a small cut to open something, like a blister.
More Examples
She carefully lanced the blister and cleaned the area.
He decided to lance the boil to relieve the pressure.
How It's Used
"The doctor lanced the boil to drain the pus."
"He lanced his feelings by writing a poem."
Idioms & expressions
lance out
To charge or move forward with a lance.
"The knight lanced out towards his opponent in the joust."
From Old French *lance*, from Latin *lancea*, a light spear.
Used in medieval literature and warfare, symbolizing chivalry and combat.
Memory tip
Think of a knight's lance - a weapon for jousting and combat.
Word Origin
"lancea (light spear)"