Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1960 (SND Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
LANCE, n., v. Sc. usages:
I. n. 1. A surgeon's lancet (Sc. 1825 Jam.; I.Sc., Bnff., Abd., em.Sc.(a), Lth., Dmb., Ayr., Kcb., Uls. 1960). Also attrib. in 1890 quot. = lancet-shaped. Also in Eng. dial.Kcb. 1814 W. Nicholson Poet. Wks. 91:
They use the lance and clyster.Abd. 1867 W. Anderson Rhymes 74:
A pouch that held a lance an' probe.Sc. 1889 A. G. Murdoch Readings iii. 117:
Gang up the lum, doctor, an' stick the lance intil him.Ayr. 1890 J. Service Notandums 21:
He was in ane o' the lang lance windows.
2. The cormorant, from its motion and appearance when diving (Rs. 1959).
II. v. To dart, spring or plunge forward, to hurl oneself like a lance. Only dial. in Eng.Sc. 1803 Scott Minstrelsy I. 83:
Thou hast a gude gray mare, That can baith lance o'er laigh and hie.
