Final answer:
A lance is a long weapon for thrusting used historically by cavalry soldiers; it is designed for striking at a distance from horseback. It can also denote a cavalry soldier or serve as a male given name.
Step-by-step explanation:
The definition of LANCE covers multiple meanings, but for this context, a lance refers to a long weapon for thrusting, used by cavalry soldiers throughout history. Unlike swords which consist of a pointed blade with a hilt and a cross-guard for slicing or thrusting, lances are typically longer, designed for use by cavalry units. The long reach of the lance made it an effective weapon for soldiers on horseback, providing the ability to strike opponents from a distance. It is important to note that 'lance' can also refer to a cavalry soldier who wields such a weapon, or it can be used as a male given name.