lancegay Obs. exc. Hist.
(ˈlɑːnsgeɪ, -æ-)
Also 4–8 launcegay(e, 5 lawncegay, 6 launcezagaye, launsgay, 7 erron. lance de gay.
[a. OF. lancegaye, f. (with contraction) lance, lance n.1 + zagaye (see zagaie, assagai n.).]
A kind of lance.
| [1383 Act 7 Rich. II, c. 13 §1 Le Roi defende que desoremes null homme chivache deinz le Roialme armez..ovesque lancegay.] c 1386 Chaucer Sir Thopas 41 In his hand a launcegay A long swerd by his side. 1390 Gower Conf. III. 369 A firy lancegay, Which whilom through my hert he cast. 1467 in Eng. Gilds (1870) 388 That no man go armed, to bere launcegayes, Gleyves, Speres, and other wepyn. c 1500 Robin Hood (Ritson) 18 He bare a launsgay in his honde. 1591 Sir J. Smyth Instruct. Milit. 199, I would wish them to have Launces commonly called Launceza⁓gayas of good, tite, and stiffe ash. 1605 Camden Rem. (1657) 209 To speak of lesser weapons, both defensive and offensive of our nation, as their granad, baselard, launce⁓gay, &c. would be endless. 1614 Raleigh Hist. World v. iii. §1. 359 These carrying a kinde of Lance de gay, sharpe at both ends, which they held in the middest of the staffe. 1799 Scott Sheph. Tale, A launcegay strong, full twelve ells long, By every warrior hung. |
| attrib. 1436 Nottingham Rec. II. 158 Duorum garmentorum, unius clocher, et unius launcegaysshaft. |