pounce

== English == === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /paʊns/ Rhymes: -aʊns === Etymology 1 === From French ponce, from Latin pūmex. Doublet of pumice. ==== Noun ==== pounce (usually uncountable, plural pounces) (historical) 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) Charcoal dust, or some other coloured powder for making patterns through perforated designs, used by embroiderers, lacemakers, etc. ===== Derived terms ===== pounce wheel ===== Translations ===== ==== Verb ==== pounce (third-person singular simple present pounces, present participle pouncing, simple past and past participle pounced) (transitive) To sprinkle or rub with pounce powder. === Etymology 2 === From Middle English pounce, probably akin to punch. Possibly from Old French ponchonner (compare French poinçonner). ==== Noun ==== pounce (plural pounces) A sudden leaping attack. (archaic) The claw or talon of a bird of prey. 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 A punch or stamp. Cloth worked in eyelet holes. (mining) Synonym of bump (“sudden movement of underground strata”). ==== Verb ==== pounce (third-person singular simple present pounces, present participle pouncing, simple past and past participle pounced) (intransitive) To leap into the air intending to seize someone or something. (intransitive) To attack suddenly by leaping. (intransitive) To eagerly seize an opportunity. (transitive) To strike or seize with the talons; to pierce, as with the talons. (transitive) To stamp holes in; to perforate. ===== Synonyms ===== (instance of propelling oneself into air): leap, jump, bounce (instance of causing oneself to fall from an elevated place): strike, attack ===== Derived terms ===== ===== Translations ===== === References === “pounce”, in OneLook Dictionary Search. === Anagrams === Cupeño == Middle English == === Noun === pounce alternative form of paunche