What is "lance snake"

Lance \Lance\ (l[a^]ns), n. [OE. lance, F. lance, fr. L. lancea; cf. Gr. lo`gchh. Cf. Launch.]

1. 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.
   --Shak.

2. A soldier armed with a lance; a lancer.

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

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

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

6. (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.
   --B. Jonson.

   Lance snake (Zo["o]l.), 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.