lance

[læns]

lance Definition

  • 1a long weapon with a pointed metal head, used by soldiers on horseback in the past
  • 2a surgical knife used to make small incisions

Using lance: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "lance" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

  • Example

    The knight charged with his lance.

  • Example

    The surgeon used a lance to drain the abscess.

  • Example

    He was impaled by a lance during the jousting tournament.

lance Synonyms and Antonyms

Phrases with lance

  • break a lance for someone/something

    to speak in defense or support of someone or something

    Example

    I will break a lance for my colleague who deserves a promotion.

  • at first sight or glance

    Example

    At a lance, I knew that he was lying.

  • to begin a fight or argument

    Example

    He took up the lance against the new policy.

Origins of lance

from Old French 'lance', meaning 'spear'

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Summary: lance in Brief

The term 'lance' [læns] refers to a long weapon with a pointed metal head, historically used by soldiers on horseback. It can also refer to a surgical knife used to make small incisions. The phrase 'break a lance for someone/something' means to speak in defense or support of someone or something.

How do native speakers use this expression?