26984 words

purse

13 definitions • 12 examples
1
a small container for money, usually used by a woman:

Examples:

a leather purse
2
a
3
the total amount of money that an organization or government has available for spending:

Examples:

Having a lot of people out of work places a large drain on the public purse.
4
an amount of money that is offered as a prize in a sports competition:

Examples:

The players in the golf tournament are competing for a purse of £525,000.
5
to bring your lips tightly together so that they form a rounded shape, usually as an expression of disapproval:

Examples:

"I don't approve of that kind of language," she said, pursing her lips.
6
a bag, often with a handle or a strap going over the shoulder, used esp. by women for carrying money, keys, and small personal items such as makeup; a pocketbook
7
an amount of money offered as a prize in a sporting competition, or the total amount of money available for spending:

Examples:

Yesterday’s race had a purse worth over $100,000.
8
to bring your lips tightly together so that they form a rounded shape:

Examples:

She pursed her lips and said nothing.
9
the total amount of money that a person, organization, or government has available to spend:

Examples:

Having a lot of people out of work places a large drain on the public purse.
The motor company sought to sell 'a car for every purse'.
10
an amount of money that is offered as a prize in a sports competition:

Examples:

The sponsorship deal includes a €10,000 purse for the winner of the tournament.
11
to be in charge of a family's or organization's money and responsible for deciding what it will be spent on:

Examples:

She is the typical Japanese housewife who controls the family's purse strings.
12
to spend more money or to allow people to have or spend more money:

Examples:

He might even persuade the board to loosen the purse strings.
13
to spend less money or to allow people to have or spend less money:

Examples:

When a company needs to tighten the purse strings, outside labor is the first to get cut.

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