Meaning of Pounce | Babel Free

Definitions

1. A type of fine powder, as of sandarac, or cuttlefish bone, sprinkled over wet ink to dry the ink after writing or on rough paper to smooth the writing surface.
   historical, uncountable, usually
2. A sudden leaping attack.
3. Charcoal dust, or some other coloured powder for making patterns through perforated designs, used by embroiderers, lacemakers, etc.
   historical, uncountable, usually
4. The claw or talon of a bird of prey.
   archaic
5. A punch or stamp.
6. Cloth worked in eyelet holes.
7. Synonym of bump (“sudden movement of underground strata”).

Equivalents

Examples

“At the Thorn, or at a meagre kitchen table, or even on the carpenter’s workbench, he spreads open⟳ the portfolio, lights a candle stub, slices a fresh quill, and arranges pounce pot and ink well.”

“Again the cat jolted the bed with a pounce.”

“March⟳ 22 1775, Edmund Burke, speech in the House of Commons on conciliation with America You have⟳ , indeed , winged ministers of vengeance, who carry⟳ your bolts in their pounces to the remotest verge of the sea”

“And from her griping pounce the greedy prey doth quarry”

“a pounce to print⟳ money with”

“one spendeth his patrimony upon pounces and cuts”

CEFR level