purses

Noun

purse (plural purses)

1. A small bag for carrying money.
   • And then muſt many a man occupie as farre as his purſe would reache, and ſtretche out his legges accordynge to the length of his couerlet.1550, Steuen Mierdman, The market or fayre of usurers

   Synonyms:

   pocketbook, coin purse, change purse

2. (US) A handbag (small bag usually used by women for carrying various small personal items)
   • Master leathercrafter does handcrafted wallets, belts, purses, handbags etc., supporting self and helpers. Good enough to carve fantst art and portraits into leather.1987 August 15, Robert Benitez, “Personal advertisement”, in Gay Community News, volume 15, number 5, page 14

   Synonyms:

   handbag

3. A quantity of money given for a particular purpose.
   • It was a historic and a hefty battle when Myler and Percy were scheduled to don the gloves for the purse of fifty sovereigns.1922 February 2, James Joyce, “[[Episode 12: The Cyclops]]”, in Ulysses, Paris: Shakespeare and Company […], →OCLC

   Synonyms:

   bursary, grant, funds

4. (historical) A specific sum of money in certain countries: formerly 500 piastres in Turkey or 50 tomans in Persia.

See all 9 meanings of purse