cutpurse

[ kuht-purs ]

noun

1. Older Use. a pickpocket.
2. (formerly) a person who steals by cutting purses from the belt.

cutpurse

/ ˈkʌtˌpɜːs /

noun

1. See pickpocket
   an archaic word for pickpocket

Word History and Origins

Origin of cutpurse¹

First recorded in 1325–75, cutpurse is from the Middle English word cutte-purs. See cut, purse

Example Sentences

Feb. 10th, at two after none I toke a cutpurse taking my purse out of my pocket in the Temple.

From Project Gutenberg

Here and there, a cutpurse slunk through the crowd, seeking his own type of bargain—an unwary victim.

From Project Gutenberg

A Cutpurse is of the surest trade; for his work is no sooner done, but he hath his money in his hand.

From Project Gutenberg

The light-fingered art must have degenerated in Toledo since the day of that clever cutpurse of the "Exemplary Tales."

From Project Gutenberg

Moll Cutpurse, whose intelligence and audacity were never bettered, was among the bravest of the Elizabethans.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• thief