Crossword Genius

How quietly a cat will spring on its prey (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

pounce

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'prey' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I can't understand how they can define each other.

'how quietly a cat will spring on its' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'quietly' could be 'p' (p for piano and quiet) and 'p' is located in the answer.
'cat' could be 'ounce' (ounce can mean a snow leopard) and 'ounce' is found within the answer.
This accounts for all the letters.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for pounce that I've seen before include "Spring or swoop down on to attack" , "Spring to catch" , "Jump down on suddenly" , "Suddenly spring; fine powder" , "Spring down on and grasp" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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