any of a family (Ammodytidae) of small, eel-like, marine percoid fishes often found burrowing in coastal sands
sand lance in American English
noun
any slender marine fish of the family Ammodytidae that burrows into the sand
Also: sand launce
Word origin
[1770–80]This word is first recorded in the period 1770–80. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: advisory, crescendo, extra, international, shotgun