Comprehensive
Dictionary Suite
Help
Help
Help
 
       

pounce

 
 
pronunciation:
paUns
parts of speech:
intransitive verb, noun
features:
Word Combinations (verb, noun), Word History, Word Explorer
part of speech: intransitive verb
inflections: pounces, pouncing, pounced
definition 1: to jump or swoop down in order to seize or capture something.
The cat pounced on the mouse.
similar words:
descend, swoop
definition 2: to seize on or attack something suddenly, or to be quick to take advantage of or criticize someone.
He pounced on me for making an error.
similar words:
plunge
Word CombinationsSubscriber feature About this feature
 
part of speech: noun
definition 1: a sudden attack, leap, or swoop, such as that of an animal attacking its prey.
definition 2: the talon or claw of a carnivorous bird.
Word CombinationsSubscriber feature About this feature
Word History
Pounce comes from pownse, an early English word that means "the talon or claw of a bird of prey."
Word Explorer
See
  cat