lance

Everyday

1. A lance is a long spear with a pointed tip, carried by knights on horseback in battles and jousts. tree →
2. (verb, medicine) To lance a boil or abscess is for a doctor to cut it open with a sharp tool so the pus can come out. tree →
3. Lance is also a boy's name. tree →

In the lessons

In history lessons about knights and the Middle Ages, two knights charged at each other with lances in a joust. In health, doctors lance boils with clean tools; you should not try it yourself. In stories, a knight's lance is a symbol of bravery. Common phrases: «couch a lance» (hold it ready), «break a lance», «lance a boil», «lance corporal» (a soldier's rank).

Examples

• The knight lowered his lance and charged. tree →
• The lance broke against the shield in the joust. tree →
• The doctor lanced the boil on his neck. tree →
• Knights practised with lances at a target. tree →
• A lance is much longer than a sword. tree →
• His uncle is a lance corporal in the army. tree →
• Lance is the new boy in our class. (a name) tree →

Note

Plural: lances. A «lancet» is a small, sharp medical tool. Do not confuse «lance» with «launch» (send off). «Lance corporal» is the lowest rank of corporal in the British army.

In Jewish tradition

Interpretation: In the Elijah story, the prophets of Baal cut themselves with weapons and cried out, but no god answered them. The tradition sees this as the emptiness of idol worship. In the primary lessons: In history lessons about knights and the Middle Ages, two knights charged at each other with lances in a joust. In health, doctors lance boils with clean tools; you should not try it yourself. In stories, a knight's lance is a symbol of bravery. Common phrases: «couch a lance» (hold it ready), «break a lance», «lance a boil», «lance corporal» (a soldier's rank).

Examples

• And they cried aloud, and cut themselves after their manner with swords and lances, till the blood gushed out upon them. (Prophets 1KI.18.28, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Plural: lances. A «lancet» is a small, sharp medical tool. Do not confuse «lance» with «launch» (send off). «Lance corporal» is the lowest rank of corporal in the British army.