pounce1

 
Pronunciation: /paʊns/

verb

[no object]
  • (of an animal or bird of prey) spring or swoop suddenly so as to catch prey: as he watched, a mink pounced on the vole
  • (of a person) spring forward suddenly so as to attack or seize someone or something: the gang pounced on him and knocked him to the ground
  • notice and take swift advantage of a mistake or sign of weakness: the paper pounced on her admission that she is still a member of CND

noun

  • 1a sudden swoop or spring.
  • 2 archaic a bird’s claw.

Origin:

late Middle English (as a noun denoting a tool for stamping or punching): origin obscure, perhaps from puncheon1. The noun sense 'a bird's claw' arose in the late 15th century and gave rise to the verb (late 17th century)