launce

American  

[lans, lahns] / læns, lɑns /

noun

1. sand lance.

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launce British  

/ lɑːns /

noun

1. another name for the sand eel

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Etymology

Origin of launce

First recorded in 1615–25; variant of lance ²

Example Sentences

And he speaks of a "speare of Heben wood," and "a Heben launce."

From The plant-lore & garden-craft of Shakespeare by Ellacombe, Henry Nicholson

Like fam'd La Mancha's knight, who launce in hand, Mounted his steed to free th' enchanted land, Our Quixote bard sets forth a monster-taming, Arm'd at all points, to fight that hydra—Gaming.

From The Gamester (1753) by Peake, Charles H.

But first my launce did put him from his horse.

From The Spanish Tragedie by Kyd, Thomas

The good old Albert pants, again   To dare the hostile field, The cause of Henry to maintain,   For him, the launce to wield.

From Poems (1786), Volume I. by Williams, Helen Maria

Thei cannot handle a target: nor but fewe of theim a launce or a long sweard.

From The Principal Navigations, Voyages, Traffiques and Discoveries of the English Nation — Volume 06 Madiera, the Canaries, Ancient Asia, Africa, etc. by Hakluyt, Richard