pounce
pounce¹
Definition
pounce (po̵uns)
noun
- a claw or talon of a bird of prey
- the act of pouncing; swoop, spring, or leap
Etymology: ME pownce, talon, prob. altered < MFr poinçon, sharp instrument, stiletto: see puncheon
intransitive verb pounced, pounc′·ing
to swoop down, spring, or leap (on, upon, or at a person or thing) in, or as in, attacking or seizing
pounc′er noun
pounce²
Definition
pounce (po̵uns)
noun
- a fine powder, as pulverized cuttlefish bone, formerly used to prevent ink from blotting or to prepare the writing surface of parchment
- a fine powder sprinkled over a stencil to make a design, as on cloth
Etymology: Fr ponce < L pumex, pumice
transitive verb pounced, pounc′·ing
- to sprinkle, rub, finish, or prepare with pounce
- to stencil with pounce
pounce
Synonyms
pounce
Usage Examples
Preposition: on
- rebound: And Newtown moved further ahead in the 63rd minute when Justin Wickham pounced on a rebound for his second league goal.
- ball: Goodall pounced on a loose ball in the corner to edge Castleford ahead for the first time with less than ten minutes remaining.
- mistake: But then Watford must also be wary and not slip up either, as Premier League sides will pounce on any mistake.
- error: He's won the first frame and is now pouncing on an error from Davis in the second.
- anyone: Behind the other door is an enormous, hungry lion that will pounce on anyone opening the door.
- pass: There was nothing whatsoever on as he pounced on a stray pass, taking the ball near the center spot.
Preposition: onto
- ball: Barrie knocked down the shot before pouncing onto the loose ball.
Modifying Another Word
- suddenly: Hiding behind the wall, she sees the stranger advancing, keeps her eyes on him and suddenly pounces when he comes within reach.
- immediately: Alan Dwyer and Ed Moore immediately pounced and shuffled Connor down to fourth.
- again: Lewis pounced again from close range to double the visitors lead.
- then: A large Lycan then pounced on the hood of Crystal's car.
- n't: Once you have found an interesting guy do n't pounce on him straight away, take things nice ' n ' slow.
- soon: But McGall was soon pouncing on them both, diving down Farrell's inside at the chicane to take third on lap five.
Followed by an intransitive particle
- upon: Even the most tenuous link to 1966 is pounced upon by smug commentators from every angle.
- on: The image of being pounced on from behind bushes hints at child abusers.
- out: Her left eye seemed to pounce out from under its tangled brow.
- down: There he was spied by a Hawk, who pounced down on him and seized him in his talons.
Used with why or when
- when: Hiding behind the wall, she sees the stranger advancing, keeps her eyes on him and suddenly pounces when he comes within reach.
Infinitive complement
- head: The Accies hitman pounced to head home after the Gretna defense failed to clear Tom Parratt's free-kick with 12 minutes remaining.
Preposition: from
- yard: Graham Potter's header failed to clear the Boston lines and Trundle pounced from 25 yards, curling the ball round post and keeper.
Browse dictionary entries near pounce
- poultryman
- poultry
- poultice
- poulterer
- poult
- Poulsen, Kevin
- Poulenc
- poule
- poulard
- Pouilly-Fumé
- pouncet box
- pound
- pound-foolish
- pound net
- pound sign
- poundage
- poundal
- poundcake
- pounder
- -pounder
