pounce

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   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.

   At the Thorn, or at a meagre kitchen table, or even on the carpenter’s workbench, he spreads open the portfolio, lights a candle stub, slices a fresh quill, and arranges pounce pot and ink well.

2. 2
   verb

   To sprinkle or rub with pounce powder.

   to pounce paper, or a pattern

3. 3
   noun

   A sudden leaping attack.

   Again the cat jolted the bed with a pounce.

4. 4
   noun

   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

5. 5
   noun

   A punch or stamp.

   a pounce to print money with

6. 6
   noun

   Cloth worked in eyelet holes.

   one spendeth his patrimony upon pounces and cuts

7. 7
   verb

   To leap into the air intending to seize someone or something.

   The kitten pounced at the ball I threw to it.

8. 8
   verb

   To attack suddenly by leaping.

   I was awakened from a dead sleep by my child pouncing on top of me from out of nowhere.

Etymology

From Middle English pounce, probably akin to punch. Possibly from Old French ponchonner (compare French poinçonner).