Meaning of purse in English

Table of contents
  1. Pronunciation
  2. Verb
    1. Definitions
  3. Noun
    1. Etymology
    2. Definitions

  1. Pronunciation

    /pərs/

    US accent Play button

    UK accent

  1. Verb

    purse

    Definitions

    1. contract one's lips into a rounded shape
  2. 2. gather or contract into wrinkles or folds

    Examples

    • « pucker »
    • « purse ones's lips »

    Derived terms

  3. Noun

    purse

    Etymology

    late Old English, alteration of late Latin bursa‘purse’, from Greek bursa‘hide, leather’. The current verb sense (from the notion of drawing purse strings) dates from the early 17th century

    Definitions

    1. a bag used for carrying money and small personal items or accessories (especially by women)

    Examples

    • « she reached into her bag and found a comb »

    Derived terms

  4. 2. a sum of money spoken of as the contents of a money purse

    Examples

    • « he made the contribution out of his own purse »
    • « he and his wife shared a common purse »
  5. 3. a small bag for carrying money
  6. 4. a sum of money offered as a prize

    Examples

    • « the purse barely covered the winner's expenses »

Famous quotes

  • « I'm sickened by all religions. Religion has divided people. I don't think there's any difference between the pope wearing a large hat and parading around with a smoking purse and an African painting his face white and praying to a rock. »
    Howard Stern
  • « I'm a disorganized mess. My purse is gross: I once found a shoulder pad, string cheese, and a Christmas ornament in it! »
    Hoda Kotb
  • « A car for every purse and purpose. »
    Alfred P. Sloan

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