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

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