1. (n.) A weapon of war, consisting of a long shaft or handle and a steel blade or head; a spear carried by horsemen, and often decorated with a small flag; also, a spear or harpoon used by whalers and fishermen.

2. (n.) A soldier armed with a lance; a lancer.

3. (n.) A small iron rod which suspends the core of the mold in casting a shell.

4. (n.) An instrument which conveys the charge of a piece of ordnance and forces it home.

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

6. (v. t.) To pierce with a lance, or with any similar weapon.

7. (v. t.) To open with a lancet; to pierce; as, to lance a vein or an abscess.

8. (v. t.) To throw in the manner of a lance. See Launch.