purse
Americannoun
-
Also called change purse. a small bag, pouch, or case for carrying money.
-
anything resembling a purse in appearance, use, etc.
-
a sum of money offered as a prize or reward.
-
a sum of money collected as a present or the like.
-
money, resources, or wealth.
verb (used with object)
-
to contract into folds or wrinkles; pucker.
to purse one's lips.
-
to put into a purse.
noun
-
a small bag or pouch, often made of soft leather, for carrying money, esp coins
-
a woman's handbag
-
anything resembling a small bag or pouch in form or function
-
wealth; funds
-
a sum of money that is offered, esp as a prize
verb
"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012Other Word Forms
- purseless adjective
- purselike adjective
Etymology
Origin of purse
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
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.
The late queen was filmed in colour, buying a treat for a four-year-old Prince Edward in a shop, using money from her purse.
From BBC
If the meal’s late, keep trail mix in your purse for a quick snack.
From Salon
Article 1 of the Constitution gives the power of the purse to Congress.
The 22-year-old Asian star is aiming to win the richest tournament in women's golf for a second straight year, with the winner receiving a $4 million top prize from an $11 million purse.
From Barron's
“People are already trying to make new places a thing,” said Meg Spectre, an artist who had a Tamagotchi tied to her purse.
From New York Times
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
