purse

[ purs ]

noun

1. handbag ( def 1 ).
2. Also called change purse [cheynj, purs]. 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, purs·ing.

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 Words From

• purse·less adjective
• purse·like 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

In addition to the idiom beginning with purse , also see can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear .

Example Sentences

I learned to stuff down my emotions with handful after handful of cereal or clandestine candy bars, wrappers crumpled in my purse.

From Outside Online

HighSpeedDaddyIt can be hard to find a lunch box that doesn’t look like a purse or a toy.

From Popular-Science

I have a stick that stays on my vanity at home, and since it’s small enough to throw in a purse, I keep one in my pool bag too.

From The Daily Beast

This pick comes with scientific guidance on feeding and can fit in your purse.

From Popular-Science

This item fits neatly in your bag or purse and provides the occasional dew when you need it the most.

From Popular-Science

On one summer lunch hour, Donna Ann Levonuk, 50, lifted a tub of diaper cream priced at $43.98—and then stashed it in her purse.

From The Daily Beast

The padlocked door down the hall was now open, and I found my purse.

From The Daily Beast

She retrieved a cigarette from her purse and lit it without moving her face away from the screen.

From The Daily Beast

Available at La Boîte SHOLDIT Clutch Wrap Purse, $70 We can all agree the dorky passport holders and money bags have got to go.

From The Daily Beast

These are longer than traditional ads, mini-stories, designed to pull at heart- as well as purse strings.

From The Daily Beast

Absently his hands wandered through the pockets, and found his purse and the money in an outside pocket.

From Project Gutenberg

I turned round, thrust my purse into the lap of the nearest, and with a light heart led the lady back to the hotel.

From Project Gutenberg

Ernest called out; "you have forgotten your money;" and he held out a purse, but the man was gone.

From Project Gutenberg

A Cremona Violin is, to a rich amateur, a loadstone that is sure to attract the shining metal from the depths of his purse.

From Project Gutenberg

She did not smile as she opened a black purse and produced an envelope which she handed to Delancy.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• pucker