Entry 3 senses · 2 variants Webster, 1913 Hance /(hȧns)/ · IPA /hɑːns/ v. t. n. 01 v. t. To raise; to elevate. 1. To raise; to elevate.[Obs.] 02 n. See Hanse. 1. See Hanse.(Arch.) See: Hanse 2. A sudden fall or break, as the fall of the fife rail down to the gangway.(Naut.)