Pounce /(?)/

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.

imp. & p. p. Pounded; p. pr. & vb. n. Pouncing

1. To sprinkle or rub with pounce; as, to pounce paper, or a pattern.

1. The claw or talon of a bird of prey.
2. A punch or stamp. [Obs.]
3. Cloth worked in eyelet holes. [Obs.]

1. To strike or seize with the talons; to pierce, as with the talons. [Archaic]

   Stooped from his highest pitch to pounce a wren.

   Now pounce him lightly, And as he roars and rages, let's go deeper.

2. To punch; to perforate; to stamp holes in, or dots on, by way of ornament. [Obs.]

1. 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.