lance corporal
noun
U.S. Marine Corps.
an enlisted person ranking between private first class and corporal.
British Military.
- a corporal of the lowest rank.
- (formerly) a private acting as corporal without increased pay.
Origin of lance corporal
1780–90;
lance, shortened form of earlier
lancepesade < Middle French
lancepessade lowest ranking grade of noncommissioned officer < Italian
lancia spezzata superior soldier, literally, broken
lance1 (from having shivered many lances, i.e., fought well in many battles)
Words nearby lance corporal
lancashire heeler,
lancaster,
lancaster sound,
lancastrian,
lance,
lance corporal,
lance of courtesy,
lance rest,
lance sergeant,
lancefield classification,
lancejack
Example sentences from the Web for lance corporal
British Dictionary definitions for lance corporal
lance corporal
noun
a noncommissioned officer of the lowest rank in the British Army