lance corporal

noun

1. U.S. Marine Corps.,  an enlisted person ranking between private first class and corporal.

2. British Military.

   1. a corporal of the lowest rank.

   2. (formerly) a private acting as corporal without increased pay.

lance corporal

noun

1. a noncommissioned officer of the lowest rank in the British Army

Word History and Origins

Origin of lance corporal¹

1780–90; lance, shortened form of earlier lancepesade < Middle French lancepessade lowest ranking grade of noncommissioned officer < Italian lancia spezzata superior soldier, literally, broken lance ¹ (from having shivered many lances, i.e., fought well in many battles)