purse

[purs]

noun

1. handbag.

2. Also called change purse. a small bag, pouch, or case for carrying money.

3. anything resembling a purse in appearance, use, etc.

4. a sum of money offered as a prize or reward.

5. a sum of money collected as a present or the like.

6. money, resources, or wealth.

verb (used with object)

pursed, pursing 

1. to contract into folds or wrinkles; pucker.

   to purse one's lips.

2. to put into a purse.

purse

/ pɜːs /

noun

1. a small bag or pouch, often made of soft leather, for carrying money, esp coins

2. a woman's handbag

3. anything resembling a small bag or pouch in form or function

4. wealth; funds

5. a sum of money that is offered, esp as a prize

verb

1. (tr) to contract (the mouth, lips, etc) into a small rounded shape

Other Word Forms

• purseless adjective
• purselike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of purse¹

First recorded before 1100; (noun) Middle English, Old English purs, blend of pusa “bag” (cognate with Old Norse posi ) and Medieval Latin bursa “bag” (ultimately from Greek býrsa “hide, leather”); (verb) Middle English pursen “to put in a purse,” derivative of the noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of purse¹

Old English purs, probably from Late Latin bursa bag, ultimately from Greek: leather

Idioms and Phrases

• can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear

Example Sentences

"There's a cost to the public purse," said Mr Berry.

From BBC

Russell Vought, director of the Office of Management and Budget, has pulled the trigger on his plot to usurp the power of the purse from Congress.

From Salon

When asked what she would purchase with her first healthy fight purse, the teenager opted against a flash car.

From BBC

In April, a search warrant was served on a home, where police found weapons, purses, stolen credit cards, licenses plates and more, according to McDonnell.

From Los Angeles Times

Derek recently posted a video about the store’s impending closure on social media, including video footage of a robber assaulting his mother and stealing her purse from the back of the store.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bag 
• handbag 
• pocket 
• pocketbook 
• pouch 
• wallet