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burse

American  
[burs] / bɜrs /

noun

  1. a pouch or case for some special purpose.

  2. (in Scotland)

    1. a fund to provide allowances for students.

    2. an allowance so provided.

  3. Ecclesiastical. a case or receptacle for a corporal.


burse British  
/ bɜːs /

noun

  1. RC Church a flat case used at Mass as a container for the corporal

    1. a fund providing allowances for students

    2. the allowance provided

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of burse

1250–1300; Middle English < Anglo-French < Late Latin bursa purse; see bursa

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

As he was hiding the chalice by gathering together the folds in the veil of cloth of gold matching the chasuble, La Teuse exclaimed: 'Stop, there's no corporal in the burse.

From Abbe Mouret's Transgression by Zola, Émile

We shud hav tu reit burse insted ov purse, az in disburse.

From Chips From A German Workshop, Vol. V. Miscellaneous Later Essays by Müller, F. Max (Friedrich Max)

Then while the priest slipped a corporal into the burse and laid the latter on the veil, she went on quickly: 'By-the-bye, I forgot! that gadabout Vincent hasn't come.

From Abbe Mouret's Transgression by Zola, Émile

He carried across his arm the second white-sleeved kirtle that he had, and his burse was on his girdle.

From The History of Richard Raynal, Solitary by Benson, Robert Hugh

The "burse" is a square, stiff pocket of silk over cardboard, in which the Altar-linen is carried to and from the Altar.

From The Worship of the Church and The Beauty of Holiness by Regester, J. A. (Jacob Asbury)

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