pounce: [15] Pounce was originally a noun, denoting the ‘claw of a bird of prey’. It is thought it may have come from puncheon ‘stamping or perforating tool’, which was also abbreviated to punch ‘stamping or perforating tool’ and is probably related to punch ‘hit’. The verb pounce emerged in the 17th century. It at first meant ‘seize with talons’, and was not generalized to ‘attack swoopingly’ until the 18th century. => punch
pounce (v.)
1680s, originally "to seize with the pounces," from Middle English pownse (n.) "hawk's claw" (see pounce (n.)). Meaning "to jump or fall upon suddenly" is from 1812. Figurative sense of "lay hold of eagerly" is from 1840. Related: Pounced; pouncing.
pounce (n.)
"claw of a bird of prey," late 15c., pownse, probably from Old French ponchon "lance, javelin; spine, quill" (Modern French poin?on; see punch (v.)). So called for being the "claws that punch" holes in things. In falconry, the heel claw is a talon, and others are pounces. Meaning "an act of jumping or falling upon" is from 1825. In Middle English also the name of a tool for punching holes or embossing metal (late 14c.).
例文
1. Fraud squad officers had bugged the phone and were ready to pounce .
反詐欺グループの警察官たちは電話に盗聴器を取り付け、いつでも突撃の準備をしている。
2.The Democrats were ready to pounce on any Republican failings or mistakes.民主党員はいつでも共和党員の過失や誤りを暴こうとしている。
3.The lion crouched ready to pounce .
ライオンはしゃがんで、猛攻の準備をしている。
4. We saw the tiger about to pounce ( on the goat ).
トラが（そのヤギに）飛びかかるのを見た。／
5.Local politicians are quick to pounce on any trouble.