pounce
1to swoop down suddenly and grasp, as a bird does in seizing its prey.
to spring, dash, or come suddenly: Unexpectedly she pounced on the right answer.
to seize (prey) suddenly: The bird quickly pounced its prey.
the claw or talon of a bird of prey.
a sudden swoop, as on an object of prey.
Origin of pounce
1Other words for pounce
Other words from pounce
- pounc·ing·ly, adverb
Other definitions for pounce (2 of 3)
to emboss (metal) by hammering on an instrument applied on the reverse side.
Origin of pounce
2Other definitions for pounce (3 of 3)
a fine powder, as of cuttlebone, formerly used to prevent ink from spreading in writing, or to prepare parchment for writing.
a fine powder, often of charcoal, used in transferring a design through a perforated pattern.
Also called pounce bag, pounce box . a small bag filled with pounce and struck against a perforated design.
to sprinkle, smooth, or prepare with pounce.
to trace (a design) with pounce.
to finish the surface of (hats) by rubbing with sandpaper or the like.
Origin of pounce
3Other words from pounce
- pouncer, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use pounce in a sentence
Sensing his opportunity, Joey Biden pounced: “I walked up behind him and smashed his head next to the counter.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin pounced quickly Sunday, denouncing the economic blockade of the Donbas.
The Shaheen campaign pounced, spending part of the next day hitting the hustings in Sullivan County.
New Hampshire Says ‘No’ to Interloper Scott Brown | David Freedlander | November 5, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTMembers of Congress pounced on the agency for citing a lack of resources as a line of defense.
It was also something that Nel pounced on immediately during cross-examination.
Disastrous Turn By Star Witness For Pistorius Defense | Kelly Berold | April 17, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Any exaggeration into which a feeling of indignation happens to betray the accuser is instantly pounced upon.
Children's Ways | James SullyThis he did till an evil day when Aunty Rosa pounced upon him unawares and told him that he was "acting a lie."
Kipling Stories and Poems Every Child Should Know, Book II | Rudyard KiplingOne of the twins, deciding to play "savages," had pounced upon the ink bottle as a means of making the play more realistic!
The Outdoor Girls in the Saddle | Laura Lee HopeOne day two noted fellows from the mountains pounced down upon a man who had charge of some oxen.
Robert Moffat | David J. DeaneDown it pounced on her back, squeezed her sides with its claws, and bit her ears so sharply, that she was forced to let go.
The Animal Story Book | Various
British Dictionary definitions for pounce (1 of 3)
/ (paʊns) /
(intr; often foll by on or upon) to spring or swoop, as in capturing prey
the act of pouncing; a spring or swoop
the claw of a bird of prey
Origin of pounce
1Derived forms of pounce
- pouncer, noun
British Dictionary definitions for pounce (2 of 3)
/ (paʊns) /
(tr) to emboss (metal) by hammering from the reverse side
Origin of pounce
2British Dictionary definitions for pounce (3 of 3)
/ (paʊns) /
a very fine resinous powder, esp of cuttlefish bone, formerly used to dry ink or sprinkled over parchment or unsized writing paper to stop the ink from running
a fine powder, esp of charcoal, that is tapped through perforations in paper corresponding to the main lines of a design in order to transfer the design to another surface
(as modifier): a pounce box
to dust (paper) with pounce
to transfer (a design) by means of pounce
Origin of pounce
3Derived forms of pounce
- pouncer, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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