Antonyms for purse


Grammar : Noun, verb
Spell : purs
Phonetic Transcription : pÉœrs


Definition of purse

Origin :
  • Old English pursa "little bag made of leather," especially for carrying money, from Medieval Latin bursa "leather purse" (source also of Old French borse, 12c., Modern French bourse; cf. bourse), from Late Latin bursa, variant of byrsa "hide," from Greek byrsa "hide, leather." Change of b- to p- perhaps by influence of Old English pusa, Old Norse posi "bag."
  • Meaning "woman's handbag" is attested from 1951. Meaning "sum of money collected as a prize in a race, etc.," is from 1640s. Purse-strings, figurative for "control of money," is from early 15c. Purse-snatcher first attested 1902 (earlier purse-picker, 1540s). The notion of "drawn together by a thong" also is behind purse-net (c.1400).
  • noun tote for carrying personal items
  • noun award; winnings
  • verb press together
Example sentences :
  • A portly burgher was he, friendly of tongue and free of purse.
  • Extract from : « The Armourer's Prentices » by Charlotte M. Yonge
  • It is impossible to doubt that this passion is fatal to more than the purse.
  • Extract from : « Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. 327 » by Various
  • Any trifle will serve—a purse of gold, or even a jewelled goblet.
  • Extract from : « The White Company » by Arthur Conan Doyle
  • "The purse I have already given you, Edricson," continued the lady.
  • Extract from : « The White Company » by Arthur Conan Doyle
  • "If your cask is leer, I warrant your purse is full, gaffer," shouted Hordle John.
  • Extract from : « The White Company » by Arthur Conan Doyle
  • It was heart-breaking to her to realise her powerlessness, when he could so easily empty his purse.
  • Extract from : « The Dream » by Emile Zola
  • She took a miniature from his neck, and I drew his purse and watch from him and handed them to her.
  • Extract from : « Ned Myers » by James Fenimore Cooper
  • She wanted me to keep the purse, but this we all three refused, up and down.
  • Extract from : « Ned Myers » by James Fenimore Cooper
  • "You may retire," said she at last; and taking her purse from the table, she placed it in his hands.
  • Extract from : « Night and Morning, Complete » by Edward Bulwer-Lytton
  • A physician's forecast of the disease by the patient's pulse and purse.
  • Extract from : « The Devil's Dictionary » by Ambrose Bierce

Synonyms for purse

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019