pə:s n. & v. --n. 1 a
small pouch of
leather etc.
for carrying
money on
the person. 2 US a
handbag. 3 a
receptacle resembling a purse in
form or
purpose. 4 money, funds. 5 a
sum collected as a present or
given as a prize in a
contest. --v. 1 tr. (often foll. by up)
pucker or
contract (the lips). 2 intr.
become contracted
and wrinkled. øhold the purse-strings
have control of
expenditure. the
public purse the
national treasury. [OE purs f. med.L
bursa, byrsa purse f. Gk bursa hide, leather]