pounce
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- 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
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| 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
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| related words: |
grasp, lunge |
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| part of speech: |
noun |
| definition 1: |
a sudden attack, leap, or swoop, such as that of an animal attacking its prey.
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| definition 2: |
the talon or claw of a carnivorous bird.
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| related words: |
claw, lunge, plunge |
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Pounce comes from
pownse, an early English word that means "the talon or claw of a bird of prey."