pound

n. [ AS. pund an inclosure: cf. forpyndan to turn away, or to repress, also Icel. pynda to extort, torment, Ir. pont, pond, pound. Cf. Pinder, Pinfold, Pin to inclose, Pond. ] 1. An inclosure, maintained by public authority, in which cattle or other animals are confined when taken in trespassing, or when going at large in violation of law; a pinfold. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A level stretch in a canal between locks. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Fishing) A kind of net, having a large inclosure with a narrow entrance into which fish are directed by wings spreading outward. [ 1913 Webster ]

Pound covert, a pound that is close or covered over, as a shed. --
Pound overt, a pound that is open overhead. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Pounded; p. pr. & vb. n. Pounding. ] [ OE. pounen, AS. punian to bruise. Cf. Pun a play on words. ] 1. To strike repeatedly with some heavy instrument; to beat. [ 1913 Webster ]

With cruel blows she pounds her blubbered cheeks. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To comminute and pulverize by beating; to bruise or break into fine particles with a pestle or other heavy instrument; as, to pound spice or salt. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. 1. To strike heavy blows; to beat. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Mach.) To make a jarring noise, as in running; as, the engine pounds. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To confine in, or as in, a pound; to impound. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. A sum deducted from a pound, or a certain sum paid for each pound; a commission. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A subsidy of twelve pence in the pound, formerly granted to the crown on all goods exported or imported, and if by aliens, more. [ Eng. ] Blackstone. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Law) The sum allowed to a sheriff or other officer upon the amount realized by an execution; -- estimated in England, and formerly in the United States, at so much of the pound. Burrill. Bouvier. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ See 3d Pound. ] 1. Confinement of cattle, or other animals, in a public pound. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A charge paid for the release of impounded cattle. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To collect, as poundage; to assess, or rate, by poundage. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ From 5th Pound. ] (Physics & Mech.) A unit of force based upon the pound, foot, and second, being the force which, acting on a pound avoirdupois for one second, causes it to acquire by the of that time a velocity of one foot per second. It is about equal to the weight of half an ounce, and is 13, 825 dynes. [ 1913 Webster ]