cutpurse
/'kʌtpə:s/
Definition
- Noun:
- A pickpocket; a thief who steals from the pockets or purses of others in public places: The term "cutpurse" specifically refers to a person who secretly steals money or valuables directly from someone's clothing, especially in crowded areas.
Usage
- The word "cutpurse" is a historical term, most commonly used in literature or historical contexts to describe thieves in past centuries. It is less common in modern everyday speech, where "pickpocket" is preferred.
- It functions as a countable noun (e.g., , ).
Examples
- Noun:
- The town square was notorious for its cutpurses preying on market-goers.
- In the play, the character of the cutpurse provides comic relief while also advancing the plot.
Advanced Usage
- Historical/Literary Context: The term evokes a specific historical image, often of thieves in medieval or Renaissance settings who would literally cut the strings of purses (money bags) worn on belts.
- The historical novel vividly described the danger posed by cutpurses in 16th-century London.
Variants and Related Words
- Pickpocket (n): The modern, more common synonym for "cutpurse."
- Thief (n): A general term for a person who steals.
- Purse-cutting (n, historical): The act committed by a cutpurse.
Synonyms
- Pickpocket: A thief who steals from people's pockets or bags in public.
- Dip (slang): A slang term for a pickpocket.
- Filcher: One who steals things of small value.
Related Phrases/Idioms
- (To have) light fingers: An idiom describing someone who is prone to stealing, especially petty theft like pickpocketing.
- Be careful in the crowd; some people here have light fingers.
Noun
-
a thief who steals from the pockets or purses of others in public places
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