pounce

Meanings

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.
• Charcoal dust, or some other coloured powder for making patterns through perforated designs, used by embroiderers, lacemakers, etc.
• A sudden leaping attack.
• The claw or talon of a bird of prey.
• A punch or stamp.
• Cloth worked in eyelet holes.

Verb

• To sprinkle or rub with pounce powder.
• To leap into the air intending to seize someone or something.
• To attack suddenly by leaping.
• To eagerly seize an opportunity.
• To strike or seize with the talons; to pierce, as with the talons.
• To stamp holes in; to perforate.

Related

Similar words

• leap, jump, bounce
• strike, attack

Origin

• From French ponce, from Latin pūmex. pumice.
• From Middle English pounce, probably akin to punch. Possibly from Old French ponchonner (compare French poinçonner).