pounce

verb

to swoop upon and seize something with or as if with talons
to seize upon and make capital of something (such as another's blunder or an opportunity)
to make a sudden assault or approach

Pronunciation: /paʊns/

Etymology: From Middle English pounce, probably akin to punch. Possibly from Old French ponchonner (compare French poinçonner).

A sudden leaping attack.
“Again the cat jolted the bed with a pounce.”
The claw or talon of a bird of prey.
“March 22 1775, Edmund Burke, speech in the House of Commons on conciliation with America You have , indeed , winged ministers of vengeance, who carry your bolts in their pounces to the remotest verge of the sea”
“And from her griping pounce the greedy prey doth quarry”
A punch or stamp.
“a pounce to print money with”
Cloth worked in eyelet holes.
“one spendeth his patrimony upon pounces and cuts”
Synonym of bump (“sudden movement of underground strata”).

Etymology: From Middle English pounce, probably akin to punch. Possibly from Old French ponchonner (compare French poinçonner).

To leap into the air intending to seize someone or something.
“The kitten pounced at the ball I threw to it.”
“She pounced on the young man, because she loved him and wanted him for herself.”
To attack suddenly by leaping.
“I was awakened from a dead sleep by my child pouncing on top of me from out of nowhere.”
“The only thing you can do with virgins like that is pounce!”
To eagerly seize an opportunity.
“I pounced on the chance to get promoted.”
“While he was out of town on vacation, I pounced, leaking the photos.”
To strike or seize with the talons; to pierce, as with the talons.
“Stooped from his highest pitch to pounce a wren.”
“Now pounce him lightly, / And as he roars and rages, let's go deeper.”
To stamp holes in; to perforate.