purse

/pə:s/

Definition

Noun:
- A sum of money offered as a prize: A specific amount of money collected or designated as a reward, especially in a competition.
- A small bag for carrying money: A small pouch or case, often with a drawstring or clasp, used to hold coins and other small items.
- Financial resources; money available for spending: A sum of money thought of as the contents of a money bag; one's personal wealth or funds.
- A woman's handbag: A container, typically used by women, for carrying money, keys, and other personal items.
Verb:
- To gather or contract into wrinkles or folds; to pucker: To draw together or tighten, especially fabric or a part of the body, into small folds.
- To contract one's lips into a rounded shape: To tighten the muscles of the lips, forming them into a small, rounded shape, often to express disapproval, thought, or to whistle.

Usage Examples

Noun:
- The boxing match featured a large purse for the champion. (The boxing match had a significant cash prize for the winner.)
- He took a few coins from his leather purse. (He removed some coins from his small money bag.)
- The project was funded from the public purse. (The project was paid for using government funds.)
- She left her purse on the table. (She left her handbag on the table.)
Verb:
- The dress material pursed at the waist. (The fabric of the dress gathered into folds at the waist.)
- She pursed her lips in concentration. (She tightened her lips into a small circle while thinking deeply.)

Advanced Usage

To control/hold the purse strings: To have control over how money is spent.
- As the finance director, she holds the purse strings for the entire department.
A common purse: Shared financial resources.
- The roommates agreed to have a common purse for household expenses.

Variants and Related Words

Purser (noun): An officer on a ship responsible for accounts and provisions.
Purseful (noun): An amount a purse can hold.

Synonyms

Related Phrasal Verbs/Phrases

(The word "purse" does not commonly form phrasal verbs. The related expressions are idiomatic.)

Related Idioms

To purse one's lips: To tighten one's lips, showing disapproval, doubt, or thought.
- He pursed his lips and shook his head at the suggestion.
A light/heavy purse: Referring to being poor (light) or rich (heavy).
- In his youth, he had a light purse but big dreams.

Noun

a sum of money offered as a prize
- the purse barely covered the winner's expenses
a small bag for carrying money
a sum of money spoken of as the contents of a money purse
- he made the contribution out of his own purse
- he and his wife shared a common purse
a container used for carrying money and small personal items or accessories (especially by women)
- she reached into her bag and found a comb

Verb

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