purse Hear it!

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purse definition

purse (pʉrs)

noun

  1. a small bag or pouch for carrying money
  2. financial resources; money
  3. a sum of money collected as a present or given as a prize
  4. ☆ a woman's handbag
  5. anything like a purse in shape, use, etc.

Etymology: ME < OE purs < ML bursa, bag, purse < LL, hide < Gr byrsa

transitive verb pursed, pursing purs′·ing

  1. Archaic to put in a purse
    1. to gather into small folds
    2. to draw (the lips) tightly together, as in disapproval

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Alternate definitions:

idioms purse idiom

purse Synonyms

purse

n.

pouch, pocketbook, handbag, bag, clutch bag, clutch, receptacle, portemonnaie (French), moneybag, wallet, pocket, coin purse, billfold, reticule, money belt, sack, vanity case, vanity bag, halfpenny-purse, belt-purse, sporran, bursa, saccule, poche, pochette (both French).

hold the purse strings*

be in control of money, finance, manage a household, manage a business; see manage 1.

tighten the purse strings*

scrimp, be sparing, hoard; see save 3.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

purse Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • embroider: These include printed leather handbags from Kimchi, embroidered silk purses from Alice Caroline and Swarovski crystal belt charms from Virginie Brisset.

Adjective modifier

  • public: Also by his actions the public purse had suffered to the extent of over £ 400,000.

Modifies a noun

  • seine: In the Tuna-Dolphin dispute, the US had imposed import bans on tuna caught by the use of dolphin setting with purse seine nets.

Noun used with modifier

  • silk: You cannot make a silk purse out of a sow's ear.. .

Possessives

  • Samaritan: Samaritan's Purse is also addressing the urgent need for clean water.

Preposition: of

  • sovereign: One old Irishman offered a purse of sovereigns if they would spare him but they were knocked aside and he was thrown over.
purse usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

purse quotes

For [the] quick in wit and light in manners be either seldom troubled or very soon weary, in carrying a very heavy purse.

-Ascham, Roger

Be not made a beggar by banqueting upon borrowing, when thou hast nothing in thy purse: for thou shalt lie in wait for thine own life, and be talked on.

-Bible (Apocrypha)

Fond Pride of Dress is sure an Empty Curse; E'er Fancy you consult, consult your Purse.

-Franklin, Benjamin

purse quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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MLA Style

"purse." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/purse>

APA Style

purse. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/purse

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