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

2. 1. a fund providing allowances for students

   2. the allowance provided

---

Etymology

Origin of burse

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

Example Sentences

Mass had been said not long since, and the chalice covered with the veil and burse was still on the altar.

From Antony Gray,—Gardener by Moore, Leslie

When not in use both corporal and pall are carried in a square silken pocket called the burse.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 7, Slice 4 "Coquelin" to "Costume" by Various

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 priest replaced the purificator, paten, and pall upon the chalice; once more pinched the two large folds of the veil together, and laid upon it the burse containing the corporal.

From Abbe Mouret's Transgression by Zola, Émile