To break a lance

To break a lance
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. [1913 Webster]

A braver soldier never couched lance. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

2. A soldier armed with a lance; a lancer. [1913 Webster]

3. (Founding) A small iron rod which suspends the core of the mold in casting a shell. [1913 Webster]

4. (Mil.) An instrument which conveys the charge of a piece of ordnance and forces it home. [1913 Webster]

5. (Pyrotech.) One of the small paper cases filled with combustible composition, which mark the outlines of a figure. [1913 Webster]

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} (Zo["o]l.), 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. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • break a lance with — To enter into a contest with • • • Main Entry: ↑break …   Useful english dictionary

  • break a lance — phrasal : to engage in spirited controversy often with quixotic ardor always ready to break a lance in defense of his ideas …   Useful english dictionary

  • To break a lance — Break Break (br[=a]k), v. t. [imp. {broke} (br[=o]k), (Obs. {Brake}); p. p. {Broken} (br[=o] k n), (Obs. {Broke}); p. pr. & vb. n. {Breaking}.] [OE. breken, AS. brecan; akin to OS. brekan, D. breken, OHG. brehhan, G. brechen, Icel. braka to creak …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Break — (br[=a]k), v. t. [imp. {broke} (br[=o]k), (Obs. {Brake}); p. p. {Broken} (br[=o] k n), (Obs. {Broke}); p. pr. & vb. n. {Breaking}.] [OE. breken, AS. brecan; akin to OS. brekan, D. breken, OHG. brehhan, G. brechen, Icel. braka to creak, Sw. braka …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • 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… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Lance bucket — 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; …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Lance corporal — 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; …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Lance knight — 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; …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Lance snake — 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; …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • lance — n. & v. n. 1 a a long weapon with a wooden shaft and a pointed steel head, used by a horseman in charging. b a similar weapon used for spearing a fish, killing a harpooned whale, etc. 2 a metal pipe supplying oxygen to burn metal. 3 = LANCER.… …   Useful english dictionary

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