Obs. exc. Hist. Also 4–8 launcegay(e, 5 lawncegay, 6 launcezagaye, launsgay, 7 erron. lance de gay. [a. OF. lancegaye, f. (with contraction) lance, LANCE sb.1 + zagaye (see ZAGAIE, ASSAGAI).] A kind of lance.
[1383. Act 7 Rich. II., c. 13 § 1. Le Roi defende que desoremes null homme chivache deinz le Roialme armez … ovesque lancegay.]
c. 1386. Chaucer, Sir Thopas, 41. In his hand a launcegay A long swerd by his side.
1390. Gower, Conf., III. 369. A firy lancegay, Which whilom through my hert he cast.
1467. in Eng. Gilds (1870), 388. That no man go armed, to bere launcegayes, Gleyves, Speres, and other wepyn.
c. 1500. Robin Hood (Ritson), 18. He bare a launsgay in his honde.
1591. Sir J. Smyth, Instruct. Milit., 199. I would wish them to have Launces commonly called Launcezagayas of good, tite, and stiffe ash.
1605. Camden, Rem. (1657), 209. To speak of lesser weapons, both defensive and offensive of our nation, as their granad, baselard, launcegay, &c. would be endless.
1614. Raleigh, Hist. World, V. iii. § 1. 359. These carrying a kinde of Lance de gay, sharpe at both ends, which they held in the middest of the staffe.
1799. Scott, Sheph. Tale. A launcegay strong, full twelve ells long, By every warrior hung.
attrib. 1436. Nottingham Rec., II. 158. Duorum garmentorum, unius clocher, et unius launcegaysshaft.
