n. 1. Abbr. lb. a. A unit of weight equal to 16 ounces (453.592 grams). b. A unit of apothecary weight equal to 12 ounces (373.242 grams). See Table at measurement. 2. A unit of weight differing in various countries and times. 3. a. See pound-force. b. See pound-mass. 4. a. The primary unit of currency in the United Kingdom, worth 20 shillings or 240 old pence before the decimalization of 1971. Also called pound sterling. b. See Table at currency. 5. The primary unit of currency in Ireland and Cyprus before the adoption of the euro. 6. A primary unit of currency in Scotland before the Act of Union (1707). Also called pound scots. 7. The pound key on a telephone. [Middle English, from Old English pund, from West Germanic *punda-, from Latin (lībra) pondō, (a pound) by weight; see (s)pen- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.
v. pound·ed, pound·ing, pounds v.tr. 1. a. To strike repeatedly and forcefully, especially with the hand or a tool: pounded the nail with a hammer. See Synonyms at beat. b. To assault with military force: pounded the bunker with mortars. c. To beat to a powder or pulp; pulverize or crush: pound corn into meal. 2. To instill by persistent, emphatic repetition: pounded knowledge into the students' heads. 3. To produce energetically, as from forceful use of the hands. Often used with out: "a tinny piano pounding out Happy Birthday down the block" (Laura Kascischke). 4. To cause harm or loss to; affect adversely: stocks that were pounded when energy prices rose. 5. To defeat soundly: pounded their rivals in the season finale. 6. To attack verbally; criticize: was pounded for months in the press. 7. Slang To drink quickly (a beverage, especially an alcoholic one). Often used with back or down: pounded back a few beers after work. v.intr. 1. To strike vigorous, repeated blows: He pounded on the table. 2. To move along heavily and noisily: The children pounded up the stairs. 3. To pulsate rapidly and heavily; throb: My heart pounded. 4. To move or work laboriously: a ship that pounded through heavy seas. n. Idiom: 1. A heavy blow. 2. The sound of a heavy blow; a thump. 3. The act of pounding. pound the pavement Slang To travel the streets on foot, especially in search of work. [Middle English pounden, alteration of pounen, from Old English pūnian.] pounder 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.
American jurist who was dean of Harvard Law School (1916-1936) and wrote several influential books, including The Spirit of the Common Law (1921). |
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.