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DictionarypounceSudden seizing movement
verb / noun

pounce

POWNSS/paʊns/

A sudden, eager move to seize a target or opportunity.

The cat pounces on the toy mouse with its forepaws extended.

A domestic cat springs suddenly toward a small toy mouse, forepaws reaching to seize it.
Etymology
pounceMiddle Englishhawk’s claw

A hawk’s claw supplied the image: to pounce originally meant to seize with such claws. The verb then shifted to the sudden spring or swoop made to seize something.

In context

Your Manhwa Recap434:48
The dog tumbled, then scrambled up with a vicious bark, growling low in its throat, crouching down to pounce again only for Old Gou Third to kick it square in the rear
After Taking Over a Thug's Body, He Built a New Life With Hunting, Honey and Herbs 2

More examples

  • Shoppers pounced on the chance to buy half-price tickets.
  • With one quick pounce, the fox caught the mouse.
  • The reporter pounces on every contradiction in the mayor's story.

Forms

pounce · pounces · pounced · pouncing

Similar words

spring
Emphasizes a sudden jump rather than seizing a target.
seize
Emphasizes taking hold, not the sudden movement toward something.