/ paʊns; NAmE / verb
[ v ] pounce (on / upon sb/sth) to move suddenly forwards in order to attack or catch sb/sth :
The lion crouched ready to pounce.
The muggers pounced on her as she got out of the car.
Owen pounced on the loose ball and scored.
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PHRASAL VERBS
- pounce on / upon sth
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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.).