I. ˈlan(t)s noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin lancea
Date: 14th century
1. : a steel-tipped spear carried by mounted knights or light cavalry
2. : any of various sharp objects suggestive of a lance: as
a. : lancet
b. : a spear used for killing whales or fish
3. : lancer 1b
II. verb
( lanced ; lanc·ing )
Etymology: Middle English launcen, from Anglo-French lancer, from Late Latin lanceare, from Latin lancea
Date: 14th century
transitive verb
1.
a. : to pierce with or as if with a lance
b. : to open with or as if with a lancet
lance a boil
2. : to throw forward : hurl
intransitive verb
: to move forward quickly