lanx, lancis, f. [cf. λέκος, λεκάνη], a plate, platter, charger, dish (class.; cf.: patina, patella, magis, scutula).
I In gen.: in lancibus, Plaut. Curc. 2, 3, 45: in filicatis lancibus, Cic. Att. 6, 1, 13: pomum de caelata sumere lance, Ov. P. 3, 5, 20: cumulantque oneratis lancibus aras, Verg. A. 8, 284: inter lances mensasque nitentes, Hor. S. 2, 2, 4: rotundae lances, id. ib. 2, 4, 41: qui furtum quaerere velit, nudus quaerat, linteo cinctus, lancem habens, etc., Gai. Inst. 3, 192 sqq.; cf. Paul. ex Fest. p. 116 Müll.; Gell. 11, 18, 9; 16, 10, 8: sic implet leves scutulas, cavasque lances, Mart. 11, 32, 18; Paul. Sent. 3, 6, 86: squilla distendat pectore lancem, Juv. 5, 80.—
II In partic., the scale of a balance (cf.: libra, statera, trutina): necesse est lancem in libra ponderibus impositis deprimi, Cic. Ac. 2 ( Luc. ), 12, 38: Critolaus cum in alteram lancem animi bona imponat, in alteram corporis et externa, etc., id. Tusc. 5, 17, 51; cf. id. Fin. 5, 30, 91; cf.: Juppiter ipse duas aequato examine lances Sustinet, Verg. A. 12, 725: cum in altera lance Claudius et Nero starent, in altera, etc., Suet. Vesp. 25.—
B Trop.: vitam aequa lance pensitare, to weigh or consider impartially , Plin. 7, 7, 5, § 44: aequa lance examinare, Ambros. Ep. 41, 22: paripendere lance cunctos, Arn. 6, 2: aequa lance servari, i. e. in like manner , Dig. 42, 1, 20.