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The Collaborative International Dictionary
Stink-fire lance

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.

Stink-fire lance

Stink \Stink\, n. [AS. stinc.] A strong, offensive smell; a disgusting odor; a stench.

Fire stink. See under Fire.

Stink-fire lance. See under Lance.

Stink rat (Zo["o]l.), the musk turtle. [Local, U.S.]

Stink shad (Zo["o]l.), the gizzard shad. [Local, U.S.]

Stink trap, a stench trap. See under Stench.