Obs. Forms: 5 lanceour, 6–7 launcer, 7 lancer. [ad. OF. lanceor, lanceur, f. lancer to lance, throw, or f. LANCE v. + -ER1.] One who, or that which lances, in senses of the vb.
1. One who lances or throws (a dart).
1422. trans. Secreta Secret., Priv. Priv., 215. Archeris, abblastres, and Lanceouris of Dartes brandynge.
2. = LANCET.
1537. Matthew’s Bible, 1 Kings xviii. 28. They … cut them selues as their maner was with knyues and launcers [1611 lancers].
1587. Mascall, Gov. Cattle (1627), 177. Raze him with a crooked launcer, from the heele to the toe.
1611. Florio, Lanciatore, a launcer.
1614. T. White, Martyrd. St. George, C b. The Pincers, Lancers, Hunger, Thirst did tyre His holy bodie.
a. 1625. Boys, Wks. (1629–30), 39. They see him whetting his lancer to cut the throat of the disease.
1688. R. Holme, Armoury, II. 324/2. Another [Farriers Instrument] with a sharp point, called a Lancer.
