Chapter Lampoonry to Landing of L by Webster's Dictionary (1913 Edition)

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

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. — 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 (Zoöl.), 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.

Lance
(Lance), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Lanced ; p. pr. & vb. n. Lancing ]

1. To pierce with a lance, or with any similar weapon.

Seized the due victim, and with fury lanced
Her back.

Dryden.

2. To open with a lancet; to pierce; as, to lance a vein or an abscess.

3. To throw in the manner of a lance. See Lanch.

Lance fish
(Lance" fish`) (Zoöl.) A slender marine fish of the genus Ammodytes, especially Ammodytes tobianus of the English coast; — called also sand lance.

Lancegay
(Lance"gay`, Lance"gaye`) n. [OF. lancegaie, corrupted from the same source as E. assagai, under the influence of F. lance lance. See Assagai.] A kind of spear anciently used. Its use was prohibited by a statute of Richard II. Nares.

In his hand a launcegay,
A long sword by his side.

Chaucer.

Lancelet
(Lance"let) n. [Lance + - let.] (Zoöl.) A small fishlike animal remarkable for the rudimentary condition of its organs. It is the type of the class Leptocardia. See Amphioxus, Leptocardia.

Lancely
(Lance"ly), a. Like a lance. [R.] Sir P. Sidney.

Lanceolar
(Lan"ce*o*lar) a. [L. lanceola a little lance, dim. of lancea lance: cf. F. lancéolaire.] (Bot.) Lanceolate.

Lanceolate
(Lan"ce*o*late Lan"ce*o*la`ted) a. [L. lanceolatus: cf. F. lancéolé. See Lanceolar.] (Bot. & Zoöl.) Rather narrow, tapering to a point at the apex, and sometimes at the base also; as, a lanceolate leaf.

Lancepesade
(Lance`pe*sade") n. [F. lancepessade, lanspessade, anspessade, It. lancia spezzata a broken lance or demilance, a demilance roan, a light horseman, bodyguard.] An assistant to a corporal; a private performing the duties of a corporal; — called also lance corporal.

Lancer
(Lan"cer) n. [Cf. F. lancier.]

1. One who lances; one who carries a lance; especially, a member of a mounted body of men armed with lances, attached to the cavalry service of some nations. Wilhelm.

2. A lancet. [Obs.]

3. pl. (Dancing) A set of quadrilles of a certain arrangement. [Written also lanciers.]