Category:Pounce

Pounce, n. Etym: [f. ponce pumice, pounce, fr. L. pumex, -icis, Pumice. See pumice.]

1. A fine powder, as of sandarac, or cuttlefish bone, -- formerly Used to prevent ink from spreading on manuscript.

2. Charcoal dust, or some other colored powder for making patterns Through perforated designs, -- used by embroiderers, lace makers, Etc. Pounce box, a box for sprinkling pounce. -- pounce paper, a transparent paper for tracing.

Pounce Pounce, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pounded; p. pr. & vb. n. Pouncing.]

Defn: to sprinkle or rub with pounce; as, to pounce paper, or a Pattern.

Pounce Pounce, n. Etym: [prob. through french, from an assumed ll. punctiare To prick, l. pungere, punctum. See puncheon, punch, v. t.]

1. The claw or talon of a bird of prey. Spenser. Burke.

2. A punch or stamp. [obs.] "a pounce to print money with." Withals.

3. Cloth worked in eyelet holes. [obs.] Homilies.

Pounce Pounce, v. t.

1. To strike or seize with the talons; to pierce, as with the talons. [archaic] Stooped from his highest pitch to pounce a wren. Cowper. Now pounce him lightly, and as he roars and rages, let's go deeper. J. Fletcher.

2. To punch; to perforate; to stamp holes in, or dots on, by way of Ornament. [obs.] Sir t. Elyot.

Pounce Pounce, v. i.

Defn: to fall suddenly and seize with the claws; -- with on or upon; As, a hawk pounces upon a chicken. Also used figuratively. Derision is never so agonizing as when it pounces on the wanderings Of misguided sensibility. Jeffrey.