Meaning of pounce in English

1. Pronunciation

   /paʊns/

   US accent

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   UK accent

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1. Verb

   pounce

   Etymology

   late Middle English (as a noun denoting a tool for stamping or punching): origin obscure, perhaps from puncheon. The noun sense ‘a bird's claw’ arose in the late 15th century and gave rise to the verb (late 17th century)

   Definitions

   1. move down on as if in an attack

   Examples

   • « The raptor swooped down on its prey »
   • « The teacher swooped down upon the new students »

2. Noun

   pounce

   Etymology

   late 16th century (as a verb): from French poncer, based on Latin pumex‘pumice’

   Definitions

   1. the act of pouncing