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Lance

Military
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

A lance is a long spear-like weapon traditionally wielded by mounted cavalry in charges and jousts.

Detailed Definition
The lance carries strong associations with chivalric romance and medieval knighthood, appearing frequently in Arthurian and epic poetry as a symbol of noble combat and honor. Its use in jousting tournaments also lends it ceremonial and sporting connotations distinct from purely martial weapons. Poets employ the lance to evoke a bygone era of individualized, personal combat contrasted against the impersonal weaponry of later centuries.
Example
Example in poetry:
Arthurian poetry often depicts knights wielding lances in ceremonial jousts as well as battlefield charges; A poem might describe a lance shattering upon impact, its splintered wood evoking chivalric spectacle; Poets use "lance" to evoke medieval romance and individualized combat distinct from later firearms; A verse could contrast the lance's ceremonial jousting use with its lethal battlefield application; The term appears in epic poetry celebrating knighthood's now-vanished era of personal honor; Historical poetry sometimes uses the lance to symbolize a nobler, more personal age of warfare.
Additional Notes
A lance is a long spear-like weapon traditionally wielded by mounted cavalry in charges and jousts. The lance was the primary weapon of the knight, delivering the shock of massed cavalry. Its length gave the rider reach over infantry, while the pennon or flag added identification. In poetry, the lance embodies chivalry, power, and the romance of the knightly charge. Related terms include spear, pike, and joust. The lance's role in breaking enemy formations made it a decisive weapon, but its vulnerability in close combat required the rider to carry a sword. Its symbolism extends to honor, as in "breaking a lance" for a cause.
Other Meanings of “Lance”
Also Known As
Spear Javelin Pike Cavalry Lance Assagai
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