1. U.S. Marine Corps. an enlisted person ranking between private first class and corporal.
2. Brit. Mil.
a. a corporal of the lowest rank.
b. (formerly) a private acting as corporal without increased pay.
[ 1780-90; lance, shortened form of earlier lancepesade lancepessade lowest ranking grade of noncommissioned officer lancia spezzata superior soldier, lit., broken LANCE 1 (from having shivered many lances, i.e., fought well in many battles) ]