A Lance Corporal Is Named After a Broken Lance
A lance is a long spear used by cavalry. The rank of lance corporal preserves a medieval term for a soldier who lost his horse.
A lance is a long spear carried by mounted troops. The British army rank of *lance corporal* preserves an old Italian term, *lancia spezzata*, broken lance: a man-at-arms who had lost his horse or lance and served on foot under another's command. The phrase became *lancepesade* in English and was shortened to *lance* as a prefix meaning acting or junior. To *lance* a boil is a surgical use, from the sharp point.
- A cavalry spear. *A knight's lance.*
- To pierce. *Lance the boil.*
- Lance corporal — a junior rank. *A lance corporal.*
- Lancer — a cavalry soldier. *The Lancers.*
- Freelance — originally a mercenary. *A freelance writer.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | lance | A steel lance. |
| Plural | lances | Two lances. |
| Verb | lance | Lance it. |
| Agent | lancer | A lancer. |
| Latin | lancea | A spear. |
- The knights charged with lances lowered.Warfare.
- The doctor lanced the abscess.Medicine.
- Lance corporal comes from broken lance.Etymology.
Words from the lance
- Lancer — a cavalryman armed with a lance
- Lance corporal — from *lancia spezzata*, broken lance
- Freelance — coined by Walter Scott for a mercenary knight
- Lancet — a small surgical blade, and a medical journal
- Launch — from the same root, originally to hurl a lance
Old French *lance*, from Latin *lancea*, a light spear, possibly of Celtic or Iberian origin.
Why is it called a lance corporal?
From the Italian lancia spezzata, broken lance, describing a soldier who had lost his horse and served under another's command.
Is freelance related?
Yes. Walter Scott coined it for a mercenary knight whose lance was free to be hired by anyone.