~ 1
■ noun
1》 (abbrev.: lb ) a unit of weight equal to 16 oz avoirdupois (0.4536 kg), or 12 oz troy (0.3732 kg).
2》 (also ~ sterling ) ( plural ~s sterling ) the basic monetary unit of the UK, equal to 100 pence.
↘another term for punt 4 .
↘the basic monetary unit of several Middle Eastern countries, equal to 100 piastres.
↘the basic monetary unit of Cyprus, equal to 100 cents.
↘a monetary unit of the Sudan, equal to one tenth of a dinar.
Phrases
one's ~ of flesh something to which one is strictly entitled, but which it is ruthless or inhuman to demand. [with allusion to Shakespeare's Merchant of Venice .]
Origin
OE pund , of Gmc origin, from L. (libra) pondo , denoting a Roman ‘~ weight’ of 12 ounces.
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~ 2
■ verb
1》 strike or hit heavily and repeatedly.
↘beat or throb with a strong regular rhythm.
↘walk or run with heavy steps.
↘( ~ something out ) produce a document or piece of music with heavy strokes on a keyboard or instrument.
2》 crush or grind into a powder or paste.
3》 informal defeat resoundingly.
Derivatives
~ing noun
Origin
OE pūnian .
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~ 3
■ noun
1》 a place where stray dogs may officially be taken and kept until claimed.
↘a place where illegally parked motor vehicles removed by the police are kept until the owner pays a fine.
2》 archaic a trap or prison.
■ verb archaic shut in a ~.
Origin
ME: of uncertain origin.