Emily Dickinson Lexicon

POUND, v.t.² [Sax. punian; W. pwniaw, to beat and to load.]

1. To beat; to strike with some heavy instrument, and with repeated blows, so as to make an impression. With cruel blows she pounds her blubber'd cheeks. – Dryden.
2. To comminute and pulverize by beating; to bruise or break into fine parts by a heavy instrument; as, to pound spice or salt. Loud strokes with pounding spice the fabric rend. – Garth.