Crossword Genius

In Palladium a cat sprang (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

pounced

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

'sprang' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both to do with motion as well as being past participle verbs.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'in palladium a cat' is the wordplay.
'in' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'palladium' becomes 'Pd' (Pd is the chemical symbol for palladium).
'a cat' becomes 'ounce' (ounce can mean a snow leopard).
'pd' placed around 'ounce' is 'POUNCED'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for pounced that I've seen before include "Swooped in attack" , "Sprang (like a cat)" , "Was jumping" , "Moved fast" , "Suddenly sprang" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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