Pounce (?), n. [F. ponce pumice, pounce, fr. L. pumex, -icis, pumice. See Pumice.]
1.
A fine powder, as of sandarac, or cuttlefish bone, -- formerly used to prevent ink from spreading on manuscript.
2.
Charcoal dust, or some other colored powder for making patterns through perforated designs, -- used by embroiderers, lace makers, etc.
Pounce box, a box for sprinkling pounce. -- Pounce paper, a transparent paper for tracing.
© Webster 1913.
Pounce (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pounded (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pouncing (?).]
To sprinkle or rub with pounce; as, to pounce paper, or a pattern.
© Webster 1913.
Pounce, n. [Prob. through French, from an assumed LL. punctiare to prick, L. pungere, punctum. See Puncheon, Punch, v. t.]
1.
The claw or talon of a bird of prey.
Spenser. Burke.
2.
A punch or stamp.
[Obs.] "A
pounce to print money with."
Withals.
3.
Cloth worked in eyelet holes.
[Obs.]
Homilies.
© Webster 1913.
Pounce, v. t.
1.
To strike or seize with the talons; to pierce, as with the talons.
[Archaic]
Stooped from his highest pitch to pounce a wren.
Cowper.
Now pounce him lightly,
And as he roars and rages, let's go deeper.
J. Fletcher.
2.
To punch; to perforate; to stamp holes in, or dots on, by way of ornament.
[Obs.]
Sir T. Elyot.
© Webster 1913.
Pounce, v. i.
To fall suddenly and seize with the claws; -- with on or upon; as, a hawk pounces upon a chicken. Also used figuratively.
Derision is never so agonizing as when it pounces on the wanderings of misguided sensibility.
Jeffrey.
© Webster 1913.