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Pounce

//paʊns// noun, verb

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    A type of fine powder, as of sandarac, or cuttlefish bone, sprinkled over wet ink to dry the ink after writing or on rough paper to smooth the writing surface. historical, uncountable, usually

    "At the Thorn, or at a meagre kitchen table, or even on the carpenter’s workbench, he spreads open the portfolio, lights a candle stub, slices a fresh quill, and arranges pounce pot and ink well."

  2. 2
    A sudden leaping attack.

    "Again the cat jolted the bed with a pounce."

  3. 3
    the act of pouncing wordnet
  4. 4
    Charcoal dust, or some other coloured powder for making patterns through perforated designs, used by embroiderers, lacemakers, etc. historical, uncountable, usually
  5. 5
    The claw or talon of a bird of prey. archaic

    "March 22 1775, Edmund Burke, speech in the House of Commons on conciliation with America You have , indeed , winged ministers of vengeance, who carry your bolts in their pounces to the remotest verge of the sea"

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  1. 6
    A punch or stamp.

    "a pounce to print money with"

  2. 7
    Cloth worked in eyelet holes.

    "one spendeth his patrimony upon pounces and cuts"

  3. 8
    Synonym of bump (“sudden movement of underground strata”).
Verb
  1. 1
    To sprinkle or rub with pounce powder. transitive

    "to pounce paper, or a pattern"

  2. 2
    To leap into the air intending to seize someone or something. intransitive

    "The kitten pounced at the ball I threw to it."

  3. 3
    move down on as if in an attack wordnet
  4. 4
    To attack suddenly by leaping. intransitive

    "I was awakened from a dead sleep by my child pouncing on top of me from out of nowhere."

  5. 5
    To eagerly seize an opportunity. intransitive

    "I pounced on the chance to get promoted."

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  1. 6
    To strike or seize with the talons; to pierce, as with the talons. transitive

    "Stooped from his highest pitch to pounce a wren."

  2. 7
    To stamp holes in; to perforate. transitive

Etymology

Etymology 1

From French ponce, from Latin pūmex. Doublet of pumice.

Etymology 2

From French ponce, from Latin pūmex. Doublet of pumice.

Etymology 3

From Middle English pounce, probably akin to punch. Possibly from Old French ponchonner (compare French poinçonner).

Etymology 4

From Middle English pounce, probably akin to punch. Possibly from Old French ponchonner (compare French poinçonner).

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