lanza
A. -noun feminine
1. (military) lance, spear
a. [estar] lanza en ristre to be ready for action
b. [medir] lanzas to cross swords
c. [romper] una lanza por somebody, someone to back somebody to the hilt
d. [ser] una lanza
(=ser hábil) to be pretty sharp
(Mexicoéx) to be sly, be a rogue
2. (en carruajes) shaft
3. [de manguera] nozzle
B. -noun masculine and feminine
1. (Latin America) *
(=estafador) cheat, shark *
2. (Chile) *
(=ratero) pickpocket, thief
(Cono Sur)
(=tironista) bag-snatcher