purse

[ purs ]
/ pɜrs /

noun

verb (used with object), pursed, purs·ing.

to contract into folds or wrinkles; pucker: to purse one's lips.
to put into a purse.

Origin of purse

before 1100; (noun) Middle English, Old English purs, blend of pusa bag (cognate with Old Norse posi) and Medieval Latin bursa bag (≪ Greek býrsa hide, leather); (v.) Middle English pursen to put in a purse, derivative of the noun

OTHER WORDS FROM purse

purse·less, adjective purse·like, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH purse

briefcase handbag pocketbook purse valise wallet

Example sentences from the Web for purse

British Dictionary definitions for purse

purse
/ (pɜːs) /

noun

a small bag or pouch, often made of soft leather, for carrying money, esp coins
US and Canadian 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

(tr) to contract (the mouth, lips, etc) into a small rounded shape

Word Origin for purse

Old English purs, probably from Late Latin bursa bag, ultimately from Greek: leather

Idioms and Phrases with purse

purse