lanca

Lanca is a term with multiple meanings in Portuguese and in related contexts. In Portuguese, the word is most commonly written lança with a cedilla under the c, but the unaccented form lanca appears in texts that omit diacritics. The meanings typically fall into noun, verb forms, and, less commonly, proper-name usages.

As a noun, lança denotes a spear or lance, a long polearm used for thrusting or throwing in ancient and medieval warfare. The weapon varies in length and design across cultures, but its core purpose is to pierce or pierce through targets, including armor in historical combat contexts. In ceremonial or heraldic contexts, the term can retain martial symbolism.

As a verb form, lança is the third-person singular present indicative of lançar, meaning to throw or to launch; it can also function as the informal second-person singular imperative meaning “throw!” in everyday Portuguese.

As a proper noun, lanca can appear as a surname or as part of place names in Portuguese-speaking regions, though such uses are relatively uncommon compared with its ordinary meanings.

Etymology traces lança to Latin lancea, with cognates in other Romance languages that describe similar weapons or actions. In transliteration or non‑accented texts, the unaccented form lanca may be encountered, though lança is the standard spelling in Portuguese orthography.

See also: lance; lança (Portuguese word) disambiguation.