pounce

(pouns)

1. To spring or swoop with intent to seize someone or something: a cat that pounced on a mouse; watched the falcon pounce on the baby rabbit.
2. To attack suddenly: irregular troops who pounced on the convoy at a narrow pass; a colleague who pounced on me because of a mistake in my report.
3. To seize something swiftly and eagerly: pounce on an opportunity.

1. The act or an instance of pouncing.
2. The talon or claw of a bird of prey.

Related Forms:

• pouncˈer noun

(pouns)

1. A fine powder formerly used to smooth and finish writing paper and soak up ink.
2. A fine powder, such as pulverized charcoal, dusted over a stencil to transfer a design to an underlying surface.

1. To sprinkle, smooth, or treat with pounce.
2. To transfer (a stenciled design) with pounce.

Related Forms:

• pouncˈer noun

(pouns)