Definition of: purse

(pûrs) noun
1. A small bag or pouch of leather or the like, often having the mouth drawn together with a drawstring; especially, one for carrying money; hence, anything for carrying money on the person.
2. Available resources or means; a treasury: the public purse.
3. A sum of money offered as a prize or tendered as a gift, as for a contest or charitable collection.
—v.t. pursed, purs·ing
1. To contract into wrinkles or folds like the mouth of a purse; pucker: to purse the lips.
2. Rare To place in a purse. [OE purs <LL bursa <Gk. byrsa a skin, a hide]