intr.v. pounced, pounc·ing, pounc·es 1. To spring or swoop with intent to seize someone or something: a cat that pounced on a mouse; watched the falcon pounce on the baby rabbit. 2. To attack or criticize suddenly: troops that pounced on a convoy; a reporter who pounced on a politician's change of position. 3. To turn the attention to and try to take advantage of: pounce on an opportunity; pounced on his mistake. n. The act or an instance of pouncing. [From Middle English, pointed tool, talon of a hawk, shortening of ponson, pointed tool, variant of punchon, pointed tool; see PUNCHEON1.] pouncer n. |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.
tr.v. pounced, pounc·ing, pounc·es To ornament (metal, for example) by perforating from the back with a pointed implement. [Middle English pouncen, probably from Old French poinssonner, from poinson, pointed tool; see PUNCHEON1.] |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.