■ noun
1》 a long weapon with a wooden shaft and a pointed steel head, formerly used by a horseman in charging.
2》 a similar weapon used in hunting fish or whales.
3》 a metal pipe supplying a jet of oxygen to a furnace or to make a very hot flame for cutting.
■ verb
1》 Medicine prick or cut open with a sharp instrument.
2》 pierce with or as if with a ~.
3》 move suddenly and quickly.
Origin
ME: from OFr. ~ (n.), lancier (v.), from L. ~a (n.).