purse meaning and definition

PURSE noun

Definition of purse (noun)

1. a container used for carrying money and small personal items or accessories (especially by women)
   • "she reached into her bag and found a comb"
   • synonyms: bag, handbag, pocketbook
2. 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"
3. a small bag for carrying money
4. a sum of money offered as a prize
   • "the purse barely covered the winner's expenses"

PURSE verb

Definition of purse (verb)

1. contract one's lips into a rounded shape
2. gather or contract into wrinkles or folds; pucker
   • "purse ones's lips"
   • synonyms: wrinkle