purse1 nounpurse2 verb
pursepurse1 /pɜːs $ pɜːrs/ ●●● S3 noun 
WORD ORIGINpurse1
Origin:
1200-1300 Late Latin bursa; ➔ BURSAREXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- I can never find anything in my purse.
- Income from the new sales tax will go into the purse and will pay for the sports complex.
- The purse for Friday's title fight is more than $50 million.
- A purse was stolen from a vehicle.
- A purse was taken at gunpoint.
- Either there is money in the purse or there is not, etc.
- Milton Berle wore a wig and a dress as he battered a policeman with a purse.
- She reached into a small clutch purse, pulled out a plastic bag and threw up into it.
- The same hopes as any other pensioner, unless of course that pensioner happens to hold the purse strings.
- They act as guardians of the public purse when dealing with members of spending departments who seek additional resources.
- Trading in works of art needs a deep purse and long-time backing.
WORD SETS
accessory, nounalter, verbappliqué, nounarmband, nounarmhole, nounbag, nounbejewelled, adjectivebillfold, nounboater, nounbow, nounbowler, nounbow tie, nounbraid, nounbraid, verbbreast-pocket, nounbrim, nounbum bag, nounbust, nounbutton, nounbutton-down, adjectivebuttonhole, nouncape, nounchecked, adjectivecivvies, nounclasp, nouncleat, nounclingy, adjectiveclothes brush, nounclothes hanger, nounclutch bag, nouncoat check, nouncoat hanger, nouncoatroom, nouncobbler, nouncockade, nouncocktail dress, nouncodpiece, nouncollar, nouncollar stud, nouncolour-coordinated, adjectivecolourfast, adjectivecorsage, nouncostume, nouncoveralls, nouncravat, nouncrinkly, adjectivecut, noundark glasses, noundarn, verbdarn, noundart, noundécolletage, noundetailing, noundiadem, noundiaphanous, adjectivedishevelled, adjectivedowdy, adjectivedown-at-heel, adjectivedress, noundress, verbdressed, adjectivedressmaker, noundress sense, noundressy, adjectiveepaulette, nounfacing, nounfancy dress, nounfinery, nounfleecy, adjectivefop, noungarb, noungather, verbgingham, noungold-rimmed, adjectivegranny, adjectivegroom, verbhabit, nounhandbag, nounherringbone, nounknit, verbknitwear, nounline, verblined, adjectiveliner, nounlingerie, nounlining, nounlivery, nounlocker room, nounmade-to-measure, adjectivemade-to-order, adjectivemakeover, nounmodel, nounmodel, verbmodelling, nounmohair, nounname tag, nounnatty, adjectiveneckline, nounout, adverbpack, nounparasol, nounpinstripe, nounplaid, nounpleat, nounpleated, adjectiveplume, nounplumed, adjectiveplunging neckline, nounpocket, nounpocketbook, nounpocket handkerchief, nounpolka dot, nounpompom, nounpopper, nounpouch, nounpower dressing, nounpress, verbproof, verbpurse, nounraffish, adjectiveragged, adjectiverail, nounretro, adjectivesalon, nounsensible, adjectivesequin, nounset, verbshoeshine, nounshoulder bag, nounshoulder pad, nounshoulder strap, nounsingle-breasted, adjectivesize, nounsleeve, nounsleeveless, adjectivesling, nounsmocking, nounsoigné, adjectivespangle, nounsportswear, nounstarch, verbstitch, nounstud, nounstudded, adjectivetack, verbtail, nountailor, nountailored, adjectivetailoring, nountapered, adjectivetartan, nountatters, nounthread, nounthread, verbtie-dye, verbtie-pin, nountoe, nountoecap, nountoggle, nountongue, nountoupée, nountrainer, nountrimmings, nountrouser press, nounturn-up, nountweedy, adjectiveunbecoming, adjectiveundress, noununmentionables, nounvalet, nounwallet, nounwear, verbwearer, nounweatherproof, adjectivewell-dressed, adjectivewell-groomed, adjectivewristband, nounzip, nounzipper, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY
Election expenses are met from the public purse (=money controlled by the government). It all comes down to who holds the purse strings.COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES Stephen pursed his lips with distaste (=brought them together tightly into a small circle).
Election expenses are met from the public purse (=money controlled by the government). It all comes down to who holds the purse strings. Stephen pursed his lips with distaste (=brought them together tightly into a small circle). (=bring your lips tightly together, especially to show disapproval or worry)· Ian looked at her and pursed his mouth.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE· It is a soiled and puckered hem, the golden treasury's privy purse.
· Several key projects are at risk if Railtrack's demands on the public purse increase.· Why should he - or anyone - be allowed to abuse the public purse?· They act as guardians of the public purse when dealing with members of spending departments who seek additional resources.· His mere re-election can be relied on to revive the market and solve those problems - without costing the public purse one penny.· If rectification were refused, the public purse would be saved the burden of paying an indemnity.· The public purse would not get anything; after all, it all comes to the same thing.· That will not impose any great burden upon the public purse.· And all was to come from the public purse.
NOUN· He wears his Bible around his neck in a green silk purse.
VERB· Why, for instance, does Dahlia continue to control the purse strings after Ella is revealed as the rightful heir?
· She held a purse in her limp hand.· The same hopes as any other pensioner, unless of course that pensioner happens to hold the purse strings.· The Government have no intention of giving power to anyone except those who hold the purse strings.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY
1[countable] a)especially British English a small bag in which women keep paper money, coins, cards etc SYN wallet American English: - Nevertheless, the purse strings have been loosened sufficiently to provide a palatable enough feast.
- Now local transportation agencies decide where the purse strings.
- One of Syl's ways of expressing displeasure was by tightening the purse strings.
- The Government have no intention of giving power to anyone except those who hold the purse strings.
- The same hopes as any other pensioner, unless of course that pensioner happens to hold the purse strings.
- This means restraint in public spending and holding back the natural enthusiasm of a clutch of new ministers to open the purse strings.
- Why, for instance, does Dahlia continue to control the purse strings after Ella is revealed as the rightful heir?
Julie opened her handbag and took out her purse. b) (also change purse, coin purse American English) a small bag used to hold coins, used especially by women2[countable] American English a bag in which a woman carries her money and personal things SYN handbag British English: I locked the door and dropped the keys in my purse.3[singular] formal the amount of money that a person, organization, or country has available to spend: Election expenses are met from the public purse (=money controlled by the government). A visit to the new county museum will set the family purse back by around £12.4[countable] the amount of money given to someone who wins a sports event, such as a boxing match or a car race: They will compete for a $100,000 purse.5the purse strings used to refer to the control of spending in a family, company, country etchold/control the purse strings It all comes down to who holds the purse strings. She keeps tight control over the purse strings.purse1 nounpurse2 verb
pursepurse2 verb [transitive] VERB TABLE
purse
| Simple Form | ||
| Present | I, you, we, they | purse |
| he, she, it | purses | |
| Past | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | pursed |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have pursed |
| he, she, it | has pursed | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had pursed |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will purse |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have pursed |
| Continuous Form | ||
| Present | I | am pursing |
| he, she, it | is pursing | |
| you, we, they | are pursing | |
| Past | I, he, she, it | was pursing |
| you, we, they | were pursing | |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have been pursing |
| he, she, it | has been pursing | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had been pursing |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will be pursing |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have been pursing |
EXAMPLES FROM THE CORPUS
- He squinted, pursing his lips.
- One of them looked at his wristwatch, pursed his lips and scowled fiercely.
- Only the too-narrow lips, pursed in a determined, almost spiteful way, keep his face from being handsome.
- Richmann pursed his lips in thought.
- She pursed her lips and blew on the baby's squashed, immobile face.
- The prioress, lips pursed tight, hurried out and we followed.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES Stephen pursed his lips with distaste (=brought them together tightly into a small circle).
if you purse your lips, you bring them together tightly into a small circle, especially to show disapproval or doubt: Stephen pursed his lips with distaste (=brought them together tightly into a small circle). (=bring your lips tightly together, especially to show disapproval or worry)· Ian looked at her and pursed his mouth.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSNOUN· The prioress, lips pursed tight, hurried out and we followed.· She shook her head, lips pursed.· His lips were pursed, as if with impatience.· The Presidential lips pursed, a sure sign of anger.· Only the too-narrow lips, pursed in a determined, almost spiteful way, keep his face from being handsome.
Mrs Biddell pursed her lips and shook her head.