pursy

¹ American  

[pur-see] / ˈpɜr si /

adjective

pursier, pursiest

1. short-winded, especially from corpulence or fatness.

2. corpulent or fat.

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pursy ² American  

[pur-see] / ˈpɜr si /

adjective

pursier, pursiest

1. vain about one's wealth; purse-proud.

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pursy British  

/ ˈpɜːsɪ /

adjective

1. short-winded

2. archaic fat; overweight

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Other Word Forms

• pursily
  adverb
• pursiness
  noun

Etymology

Origin of pursy¹

1400–50; late Middle English purcy, variant of Middle English pursif < Anglo-French porsif, variant of Old French polsif, derivative ( see -ive) of polser to pant, heave. See push

Origin of pursy²

First recorded in 1545–55; purse + -y ¹

Example Sentences

"For in the fatness of these pursy times/ Virtue itself of vice must pardon beg," says Hamlet to Gertrude.

From Time Magazine Archive

Terabon saw a man about 5 feet 10 inches tall, compactly built, square shouldered, and just a trifle pursy at the waist line, approaching along the dancing floor.

From The River Prophet by Coleman, Ralph P. (Ralph Pallen)

Bad manners to his impudence, the pursy little humbug!

From Mated from the Morgue A tale of the Second Empire by O'Shea, John Augustus

Coleridge in his person was rather above the common size, inclining to the corpulent, or like Lord Hamlet, ‘somewhat fat and pursy.’

From English Critical Essays Nineteenth Century by Jones, Edmund David

But the pursy old man with the double chin and spectacles on his forehead, the height of which the wisp of reddish-gray hair could not hide, had observed it all.

From The Girls of Central High on the Stage The Play That Took The Prize by Morrison, Gertrude W.