v. Obs. or arch. [ad. F. élancer = It. slanciare, Pr. eslansar, f. L. ex out + late L. lanceāre, f. lancea LANCE.]
1. trans. To launch; to cast or throw (a lance or dart). Also fig.
1718. Prior, 2nd Hymn Callim. to Apollo. Thy unerring Hand elanc’d … another Dart. Ibid., Poems, 436. The Word obscene, Or harsh, which once elanc’d must ever fly Irrevocable.
1742. Young, Nt. Th., IX. 628. Elance thy thought, and think of more than man.
c. 1800. K. White, Time, 444. The Holy One … elanced The rolling world along its airy way.
1839. Bailey, Festus (1848), 9/2. A thousand worlds … were elanced Each minute into life.
2. intr. for refl. To shoot, dart, glance.
1729. Savage, Wanderer, III. 85. We behold … ’Cross ether swift elance, the vivid fires!
