pounce [pouncepouncespouncedpouncing] BrE [paʊns] NAmE [paʊns] verb intransitive to move suddenly forwards in order to attack or catch sb/sth •The lion crouched ready to pounce. •~ on/upon sb/sth The muggers pounced on her as she got out of the car. •Rooney pounced on the loose ball and scored. Derived: ↑pounce on something Verb forms:
Word Origin: late Middle English (as a noun denoting a tool for stamping or punching): origin obscure, perhaps from puncheon. The noun sense ‘a bird's claw’ arose in the late 15th cent. and gave rise to the verb (late 17th cent.).
Example Bank: •The cat crouched down as if about to pounce. •watching a lioness pounce on her prey
