FREE LANCE • DICTIONARY ONE.COM • Definition of Free lance

Lance 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. "A braver soldier never couched lance."

A soldier armed with a lance; a lancer.

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

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

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

(Med.) A lancet.

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. See also freelance, n. and a., and freelancer.

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.

Lance snake (Zool.), 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.