lance-corporal
Definition
- Noun:
- A military rank in the British Army and some other armed forces, above private and below corporal. A lance-corporal is a junior non-commissioned officer who typically assists a corporal or leads a small team of soldiers.
Usage Examples
- (He moved up one rank in the army hierarchy.)
- (A junior leader overseeing lower-ranked soldiers.)
- (A specific military role held for a period of time.)
Advanced Usage
"acting lance-corporal": a temporary appointment to the rank, often used when a soldier takes on the role for a specific duty.
- He was made acting lance-corporal for the exercise. (He held the rank temporarily for a training event.)
"lance-corporal of horse": a historical or specific equivalent rank in certain cavalry units (e.g., in the British Household Cavalry).
- The lance-corporal of horse led the mounted patrol. (A cavalry-specific rank similar to lance-corporal.)
Variants and Related Words
Lance (n): a long weapon used by cavalry or infantry; in military ranks, it historically denoted a junior leader (e.g., lance-sergeant).
- The soldier carried a lance during the ceremonial parade. (A symbolic weapon.)
Corporal (n): a higher rank than lance-corporal, typically a non-commissioned officer.
- The corporal gave orders to the lance-corporal and privates. (A senior rank in the same chain of command.)
Synonyms
- Junior non-commissioned officer (JNCO): a category that includes lance-corporal and similar ranks.
- Under-corporal: an alternative term used in some historical or specific military contexts.
Idioms and Related Terms
"lance-corporal's stripe": the single chevron or insignia worn on the uniform to denote the rank.
- He sewed a lance-corporal's stripe onto his sleeve. (The physical mark of the rank.)
"to be stuck as a lance-corporal": an informal expression meaning to remain in a junior rank without promotion.
- After five years, he was still stuck as a lance-corporal. (He had not advanced beyond the lowest NCO rank.)