lance

spear, lance

noun LAHNS Less Common

Origin: Latin lancea

Also means

nozzle, hose

Usage Note

Lance historically refers to a long spear used by cavalry. In modern French it is also the word for a fire hose nozzle or spray nozzle (une lance d'incendie). The idiom rompre une lance pour quelqu'un means to take up someone's cause.

Examples

"Le chevalier portait une lance dorée."

Natural Translation

The knight was carrying a golden lance.

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