Lancasterian, lang-kas-tē′ri-an, adj. pertaining to Joseph Lancaster (1778-1838), or the method of teaching younger pupils by those more advanced (monitors) in primary schools.
Lancastrian, lang-kas′tri-an, adj. pertaining to the dukes or the royal house of Lancaster.—n. an adherent of the house of Lancaster, as against the Yorkists, in the Wars of the Roses (1455-85).
Lance, lans, n. (Spens.) balance, poise. [L. lanx, lancis, a dish or scale.]
Lance, lans, n. a long shaft of wood, with a spear-head, and bearing a small flag: the bearer of a lance.—v.t. to pierce with a lance: to open with a lancet.—ns. Lance′-cor′poral, a private soldier doing the duties of a corporal; Lance′let (see Amphioxus); Lan′cer, a light cavalry soldier armed with a lance: (pl.) a popular set of quadrilles, first in England about 1820: the music for such; Lance′-wood, a wood valuable for its strength and elasticity, brought chiefly from Jamaica, Guiana, &c.—adjs. Lancif′erous, bearing a lance; Lan′ciform, lance-shaped. [Fr.,—L. lancea; Gr. longchē, a lance.]
Lancegay, lans′gā, n. (obs.) a kind of spear. [O. Fr.,—lance, a lance, zagaye, a pike. See Assagai.]
Lanceolate, -d, lan′se-o-lāt, -ed, adjs. (bot.) having the form of a lance-head: tapering toward both ends—also Lan′ceolar.—adv. Lan′ceolately. [L. lanceolatus—lanceola, dim. of lancea.]
Lancet, lan′set, n. a surgical instrument used for opening veins, abscesses, &c.: a high and narrow window, terminating in an arch acutely pointed, often double or triple, common in the first half of the 13th century. [O. Fr. lancette, dim. of lance.]
Lanch. Same as Launch.
Lancinate, lan′sin-āt, v.t. to lacerate.—n. Lancinā′tion, sharp, shooting pain. [L. lancināre, -ātum, to tear.]