pounce Hear it!

pounce1 definition

pounce (po̵uns)

noun

  1. a claw or talon of a bird of prey
  2. the act of pouncing; swoop, spring, or leap

Etymology: ME pownce, talon, prob. altered < MFr poinçon, sharp instrument, stiletto: see puncheon

intransitive verb pounced, pouncing pounc′·ing

to swoop down, spring, or leap (on, upon, or at a person or thing) in, or as in, attacking or seizing

Related Forms:

pounce2 definition

pounce (po̵uns)

noun

  1. a fine powder, as pulverized cuttlefish bone, formerly used to prevent ink from blotting or to prepare the writing surface of parchment
  2. a fine powder sprinkled over a stencil to make a design, as on cloth

Etymology: Fr ponce < L pumex, pumice

transitive verb pounced, pouncing pounc′·ing

  1. to sprinkle, rub, finish, or prepare with pounce
  2. to stencil with pounce

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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