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pounce (1)

pounce [ pownss ]


intransitive verb  (past and past participle pounced, present participle pounc·ing, 3rd person present singular pounc·es)
Definition:
 
1. jump suddenly on: to jump or swoop suddenly toward or onto somebody or something, especially onto prey

2. attack or take quickly: to move very quickly and suddenly in attacking somebody or obtaining something
He pounced on the book and carried it off to his room.

3. react swiftly to something: to be quick to notice and make use of something
She immediately pounced on his admission that he'd known all about it.



noun  (plural pounc·es)
Definition:
 
act of suddenly jumping on: an act of suddenly jumping or swooping toward or onto somebody or something, especially onto prey

[14th century. Either shortening of puncheon2, or < Old French poinson "pointed tool" < Latin punct- (see puncture)]

pounc·er noun
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