Толковый словарь английского языка Oxford English Reference - pound

1. n. 1 a unit of weight equal to 16 oz. avoirdupois (0.4536 kg), or 12 oz. troy (0.3732 kg). 2 (in full pound sterling) (pl. same or pounds) the chief monetary unit of the UK and several other countries. Phrases and idioms pound cake a rich cake containing a pound (or equal weights) of each chief ingredient. pound coin (or note) a coin or note worth one pound sterling. pound of flesh any legitimate but crippling demand. pound Scots hist. 1s. 8d. pound sign the sign {pound}, representing a pound. Etymology: OE pund ult. f. L pondo Roman pound weight of 12 ounces 2. v. 1 tr. a crush or beat with repeated heavy blows. b thump or pummel, esp. with the fists. c grind to a powder or pulp. 2 intr. (foll. by at, on) deliver heavy blows or gunfire. 3 intr. (foll. by along etc.) make one's way heavily or clumsily. 4 intr. (of the heart) beat heavily. Phrases and idioms pound out produce with or as if with heavy blows. Derivatives pounder n. Etymology: OE punian, rel. to Du. puin, LG p{uuml}n rubbish 3. n. & v. --n. 1 an enclosure where stray animals or officially removed vehicles are kept until redeemed. 2 a place of confinement. --v.tr. enclose (cattle etc.) in a pound. Phrases and idioms pound lock a lock with two gates to confine water and often a side reservoir to maintain the water level. Etymology: ME f. OE pund- in pundfald: see PINFOLD