| 释义 |
pursen. Origin: Apparently a borrowing from Latin. Etymon: Latin bursa. Etymology: Apparently < post-classical Latin bursa hide, leather (from 4th cent. in grammarians and glossaries as byrsa ), bag, money bag (7th cent.; frequently from 12th cent. in British sources), scrotum (11th cent.; a1250 in a British source), pig's scrotum (early 14th cent. in a British source), exchange (12th cent. in a British source), scholarship, allowance (from 13th cent. in British and continental sources) < ancient Greek βύρσα hide, leather, further etymology unknown. The change of initial consonant from b to p is perhaps due to association with the Germanic synonyms, Old English pusa, posa and Old Icelandic posi bag (related to the Germanic words cited at pose n.1; compare Old High German pfoso , Middle High German phose bag), and perhaps also pung n.1 (and its Germanic cognates), although if so some English forms with initial b might be expected to occur alongside those with initial p , which does not seem to be the case. (For possible later parallels with p- for expected b- compare pudding n. and perhaps also purrell n.) In later use the English word was frequently identified with (and in its spellings with medial -ou- , -ov- apparently influenced by) Anglo-Norman and Middle French bource, Anglo-Norman and Old French, Middle French, French bourse (also in Anglo-Norman as burs , burse and in Anglo-Norman and Old French as borce , borse ) money bag (early 12th cent. in Anglo-Norman), pouch or bag in general (13th cent.), money, funds (beginning of the 13th cent. or earlier in Anglo-Norman), scrotum (c1275), gall bladder (second half of the 14th cent.), bag-shaped fishing net (1409), cavity in the human body resembling a pocket or purse (late 15th cent.) < post-classical Latin bursa . Compare burse n.The Romance descendants of post-classical Latin bursa are Old Occitan borsa , bolsa , Catalan bossa , †borsa (14th cent.), Spanish bolsa (first half of the 13th cent.), Portuguese bolsa (16th cent.; 13th cent. as †borsa ), Italian borsa (early 13th cent.; also †bursa ). The Latin word was also borrowed into other Germanic languages at an early date; compare Middle Dutch borse , bourse , burse , buerse (also, in an apparently isolated attestation in a 1374 document from northern Brabant, purse ; Dutch beurs , †beurse ), Old Saxon bursa (Middle Low German burse , German regional (Low German) Börs ), Old High German bursa (Middle High German burse , early modern German borse , bursze , which by semantic shift yielded German Bursch , Bursche bursch n.; German Börse ‘purse’ is a later reborrowing (18th cent.) from Dutch). These are all in the sense ‘money bag’, sometimes also ‘travel bag, pouch’, in Middle Dutch, Dutch also ‘scrotum’, ‘seed capsule in plants’. The β. forms show assimilation of r (see E. J. Dobson Eng. Pronunc. 1500–1700 (ed. 2, 1968) II. §427 note), and were formerly widespread in several regional varieties, especially English regional (southern) and U.S. regional (eastern). With sense 1c compare slightly earlier purse v. 4. With the common purse at sense 2 compare Anglo-Norman la comune burse (beginning of the 13th cent. or earlier), Middle French, French bourse commune (late 14th cent. or earlier). In sense 4 after French bource (1665 in this sense, in the passage translated in quot. 1687), itself after Ottoman Turkish kise, (in later sources) kese, literally ‘purse’, denoting a unit of account (see note at definition; Turkish kese ; < Persian kīsa or its etymon Arabic kīs (now kīsa ; reborrowed < Turkish), both in sense ‘purse, bag’). In sense 5 apparently so called either in reference to its hollowness, or to the ringing sound it makes once cooled. In sense 8 after Spanish bolsa (1590 in this sense, in the passage translated in quot. 1604), literally ‘purse, bag’. In sense 9b probably ultimately after French boursette (1751 in this sense; < bourse + -ette -et suffix1). I. A money bag or receptacle for money, and its contents. 1. society > trade and finance > money > place for keeping money > money-bag, -purse, or -belt > [noun] lOE Aldhelm Glosses (Auct. F.2.14) in A. S. Napier (1900) 187/1 Fiscus : purs uel seod. ?c1225 (?a1200) (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 129 Hit is beggilde richte to beore bagge onbacke. burgeise to beore purs [a1250 Nero purses]. c1300 St. Francis (Laud) 293 in C. Horstmann (1887) 62 Þe pors al amti was, and peni bi-lefte non. 1340 (1866) 53 (MED) Þanne ssolle we betuene þe porse and þe wombe of þe glotoune habbe a uayr strif. ?a1425 (Egerton) (1889) 74 His purs full of gold. c1450 ( G. Chaucer (Fairf. 16) (1879) 1 To yow, my purse..Complayne I, for ye be my lady dere. 1546 J. Heywood i. x. sig. C iv v There is nothyng in this worlde that agreeth wurs, Than dothe a ladies hert, and a beggers purs. 1567 (1897) 195 Preistis, keip no gold, Siluer nor cunȝe in ȝour purs. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1622) i. iii. 339 Put money in thy purse . View more context for this quotation a1694 J. Tillotson (1743) IX. clxiv. 389 He is an impudent villain in deed, that will venture to cut a purse in the presence of the judge. 1726 J. Swift I. ii. i. 15 I took the Purse, and opening it, poured all the Gold into his Palm. 1774 J. Andrews 27 The Gentleman oblig'd him to accept of a purse containing about 15 or 20 Johannes. 1840 3 Nov. 2/3 The lady..pulled out her purse and handed him the money. 1884 M. E. Braddon iv The kind old man opened his purse, and gave all its contents to his pupil. 1910 J. Hart 278 The women..had put their head-satchels and purses on the table. 1948 A. Paton i. xii. 84 Kumalo..took out his purse eagerly. Here is my money, he said. 1991 J. O'Connor (1992) 15 She fiddled in her purse and shoved a one pound coin across the plastic table. society > morality > [noun] > moral sense > conscience c1275 (?c1250) (Calig.) (1935) 694 (MED) Ac ȝif þat he forlost his wit, Þonne is his red purs alto slit. a1425 J. Wyclif (1869) I. 308 What men þei [sc. freris] shulden kille, oþer þer breþeren or aliens, þei holden ȝit in þeir purs. 1526 W. Bonde iii. sig. MMviiv Whiche..at their dethe, fyndeth nothyng but vanyte, in ye purse of their conscience. a1586 Sir P. Sidney (1590) iii. x. f. 278v In faith he shall haue cause to account it..as a treasure it selfe, worthie to be pursed vp in the purse of his owne hart. the world > life > the body > external parts of body > head > face > mouth > [noun] > lip or lips > pursing 1665 R. Brathwait 119 She..pump'd for Tears; or drew her Face into a Purse, purposely to feign a kind of sorrowing. 1729 B. Mandeville ii. iv. 170 We are forc'd to draw our Mouth into a Purse,..bite our Lips, or squeeze them close together. 1742 H. Fielding I. i. xiii. 83 Her Lips were two Bits of Skin, which, whenever she spoke, she drew together in a Purse . View more context for this quotation a1969 J. Kerouac (1992) 431 Cody eats up deficit with a purse of his lips as his foot descends on limousinic throttle. 1987 T. Foster 24 The kissable lips gave a thoughtful purse. society > trade and finance > money > funds or pecuniary resources > [noun] society > trade and finance > money > funds or pecuniary resources > [noun] > set apart for a purpose > for or subscribed by several parties society > trade and finance > money > funds or pecuniary resources > [noun] > of a sovereign or state c1384 (Douce 369(2)) (1850) John xii. 6 Judas..was a theef, and he hauynge pursis [L. loculos], baar tho thingis that weren sent. a1400 in K. W. Engeroff (1914) 72 For commune profyȝt vp-on þe commune porse. (Harl. 221) 275 Kyngys purs, or burs, fiscus. a1444 in (1827) I. p. xxiii (MED) He and other of hy scraft [read hys craft] have made a comyn purce to wythstond us. a1500 (c1477) T. Norton (BL Add.) (1975) 319 (MED) So theire awne pursis thei wille not spare, Thei makith theire cofers þere-bi fulle bare. 1535 Prov. i. A Cast in thy lott amonge us, we shal haue all one purse. 1568 T. Howell f. 8 For emptie purse no game, No foode, no friende, no cote: For monie all doth frame. 1577 B. Googe tr. C. Heresbach i. f. 8 I build my house..according to my purse. 1602 W. Shakespeare i. iii. 48 The report goes, she hath all the rule Of her husbands purse. 1614 T. Adams (new ed.) iv. 154 The Prodigall returned not from his Harlot without an empty Purse. 1624 in (1872) 34/1 Adversaries too potent in purse and friends for her to wage law with. 1652 G. Fidge 14 The Doctor rod back with a heavie heart and a light purse. 1659 G. Wither 26 Recompence should be made out of the Public Purse, as soon as may be after the necessity is removed, to everyone damnified thereby. 1703 4 Being scorn'd, unfortunate, and Poor; Wanting full Head, tho not an empty Purse. 1748 S. Richardson IV. xix. 87 If she make a private purse, which we are told by anti-matrimonialists, all wives love to do. 1771 ‘Junius’ (1772) II. lix. 270 Let bounties be increased as far as the public purse can support them. 1789 25 Apr. 6 The longest purse rather than the soundest argument, will..be likely to carry the day. 1842 T. P. Thompson IV. 543 Paying each of the members of the aristocracy an alimony from the public purse. 1851 iv. 59 It is hard for an empty purse to stand upright. 1872 Nov. 120/2 The poor fellow has the double misfortune of a light purse and a slim conscience. 1898 13 Jan. 5/1 The rather hard saying [attributed to Bp. Stubbs] that London has always been the purse, seldom the head, never the heart of England. 1920 20 May 1/1 The drain upon the public purse for various enterprises of late. 1938 E. Monroe iv. 151 Italy won, because she jingled the heavier purse. 1959 E. Griffin & A. Scott (1991) (film script) 130 An empty purse can make a good girl bad—You hear me, dad? 1962 K. Allott 17 With a longer purse I should have included more poems by Larkin, Amis,..and Ted Hughes. 1999 27 Mar. c5 The Chinese Communist Party derives its legitimacy not from the power of the sword.., but rather from the power of the purse. 2006 (Nexis) 8 Nov. 34 Farmers who receive income from the common purse should not feel guilty. society > trade and finance > money > funds or pecuniary resources > [noun] > set apart for a purpose > for or subscribed by several parties the world > action or operation > prosperity > success > token of victory or supreme excellence > [noun] > prize > sum of money 1602 B. Jonson iii. iv. sig. F4 I'le make a gathering for him; I: a Purse, and put the poore slaue in fresh ragges; tell him so, to comfort him. 1650 R. Stapleton tr. F. Strada vii. 77 The same Merchants making a Purse..bought great store of Victuall, and therewith lading a Ship sent it to the Poore at Mechlin. 1699 R. Bentley (new ed.) 496 His Friends made a Purse for him, when he was to travel to Ægypt. 1724 No. 6292/2 No Horse..shall be admitted to Run for this Purse, that ever won the Value of 10 l. 1786 G. Washington III. 124 Mr. Lear went up to Alexandria to see the Jockey club purse run for. 1804 in (1924) II. 791 The entry money for each coalt shall..compose a purse to be set apart for this days races. 1891 3 Apr. (Farmer) If any club or gentleman will give a purse for him to face the victorious one in the match referred to. 1903 31 Mar. 8/1 Payment of £500 per annum to former mayor of the borough, a mayoral purse to reimburse him for the expenses connected with the office. 1967 5 Apr. 51/1 Race horse owners, irked at the New York state legislature for failing to approve the money necessary for increased purses. 1992 Oct. 39/2 A purse of £250 is being offered as the ladies' have the chance to show who is the top player in the Channel Islands. society > trade and finance > money > sum of money > [noun] > specific sums of money > miscellaneous currencies 1677 J. Phillips tr. J.-B. Tavernier New Relation Seraglio 15 in tr. J.-B. Tavernier (1678) A Purse implies as much as the sum of five hundred Crowns, and it is of those Purses that the Grand Seignor makes his ordinary Presents. 1687 A. Lovell tr. J. de Thévenot i. xlviii. 67 When they say a Purse [Fr. bource], they understand five hundred Piastres, or fourty five thousand Aspres. 1754 J. Hanway (ed. 2) II. viii. iii. 195 (note) Garouche or purses, each of five hundred dollars of four shillings value. 1796 J. Morse (new ed.) II. 462 The public revenue amounts to 89955 purses, at 500 piastres each. 1835 5 38 Courschied Bey governs from Berhee to Sennar, and receives in pay 680 purses a year. 1880 E. Schuyler in Oct. 435/1 The sum of 15,000 purses (900,000l.) was paid to Russia as a war indemnity. 1921 H. Luke 65 A purse is reckoned at 500 piastres. 1979 N. A. Stillman v. 345 Even after they gave them all the money they had, totalling 150 purses (a purse is equal to the sum of £5 sterling), they obstinately asked for 1000 purses more. 1997 R. J. Crampton 53 In the short space of six months, they had paid to his tax-gatherers..eighty purses, a sum equivalent to forty thousand piastres. the mind > mental capacity > expectation > foresight, foreknowledge > prediction, foretelling > an omen, sign, portent > [noun] > a good omen > in form of coal 1736 27 Mar. Our old Women..read the Fates of Families from a Coal, and see a Coffin or Purse jump out just as their Fears or their Hopes are uppermost. 1766 O. Goldsmith I. x. 93 The girls..had their omens..purses bounced from the fire, and true love-knots lurked at the bottom of every tea-cup. 1847 R. B. Peake i. ii. 15 As I live, a piece of coal bounced out of the fire! Is it a coffin or a purse? 1863 G. A. Sala 49 One of those red-hot cinders we call, from the ringing sound they make when cold, ‘purses’, and sometimes, from their odd, long shape, ‘coffins’. 1896 L. Proudlock 7 A stranger sae bonnilie flaps on the bars, And a purse has just fa'en near the auld chest o' drawers. II. A bag or bag-like receptacle generally. 6. society > occupation and work > equipment > receptacle or container > bag > [noun] c1390 (a1376) W. Langland (Vernon) (1867) A. v. 153 (MED) Hastou ouȝt I þi pors..eny hote spices? 1423 in R. W. Chambers & M. Daunt (1931) 152 Ȝe schull Fynde good mencion made yn an rolle of perchemyn, hangynge yn an purs of leder be þis book. 1466 Inventory in (1887) 50 41 (MED) Item, j lytill purse of yollowe and dyuers relekes with in hyt. a1500 (Sloane) (1890) 50 (MED) Take heede to þem [sc. the threshers] þat þey haue no poketes nor grete purses where as þey myght stelle & bere away your corne. ?1592 H. Barwick f. 8v This Harquebuzier muste yet haue a tuch boxe, a purse for his Bullets, steele and flint, and a priminge Iron. 1602 J. Brereton 10 They strike fire in this maner; euery one carrieth about him in a purse of tewed leather, a Minerall stone..and with a flat Emerie stone..gently he striketh vpon the Minerall stone. 1608 T. Cocks (1901) 35 Payde for a pynne purse for my va[lentine] vs. 1771 E. Ledwich 189 One chest containing relicks of the eleven thousand Virgins in four purses. 1846 ‘Lord Chief Baron’ (new ed.) 128/2 Purse, a sack. society > authority > office > symbol of office or authority > [noun] > purse of Lord High Chancellor 1672 E. Ashmole iii. viii. 249 These two Seals were by the said Decree appointed to be thenceforth born before the Soveraign in all publick Assemblies, during the celebration of St. George's Feast, or in other its Solemnities, by the Chancellor of the Order, in a Purse of Blue Velvet. 1677 in (1890) App. v. 37 Some mischievous persons to dishonour my Lord Chancellour crept through a window of his house..and stole the mace and the two purses. 1724 A. Johnston I. v. p. lxxxviii I do not observe among us, this Custom of distinguishing such great Men, save, in the bearing of the Lord Chancellor's Purse before him. 1776 3 His Grace..delivered the Staff to the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod on his Right Hand, the Purse-Bearer holding the Purse on his Left. 1857 J. H. Jesse & H. J. Bohn I. viii. 292 Weldon affirms, that he himself saw him [sc. the Chancellor] in this situation, seated on a wooden chest, with the Chancellor's purse and seal lying beside him. 1895 25 Nov. 7/5 The purse is placed on the woolsack. It indicates the lord chancellor is in possession of the great seal and therefore entitled to perform his duties as speaker of the house of lords. 1901 1 467 The Lord Chancellor..is preceded on his entry to the House by..the Purse-bearer carrying the Purse, which is supposed to contain the Great Seal. 1964 R. F. V. Heuston 480 The purse is now a mere symbol: it never contains the Great Seal... On the Opening of Parliament..it conveys the signed copy of the Queen's Speech. 1995 J. T. Flexner vi. 95 Strewn round the picture are a gold mace with a gold crown on top; the chancellor's purse, embroidered with the arms of Britain and most mightily tasseled; [etc.]. 2002 (Nexis) 14 Nov. 2 A man approached her [sc. the Queen] wearing a wig, black tights..and carrying a large purse... He was the Lord Chancellor. the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > bag or pouch worn on person > [noun] > sporran 1781 230 The mutiny..was occasioned by Lord Frederick Campbell's having purchased at London purses for his regiment, which constitute a part of the Highland dress, and..3s. 6d. was stopped from each man for his purse. 1817 W. Scott Let. 11 Oct. in (1888) II. 752/2 Item, Rob Roy's sporran or purse, which no one can find the means of opening. 1864 H. Goodwin vi. 117 My guide had only a Kafir full dress, which consists of something like the highlander's purse (without the kilt). 1938 2 171 Its private battalion soldiers were dressed in..rough kilts..with the ‘Black Watch’ tartan, white goats-skin purses or ‘sporans’,..and low buckled shoes. 1972 31 Jan. 17/2 Ironside..provides that [sc. a bagpiper's dress] too—from the Glengarry at the top of the head to the fur purse, or sporran, at the waist. 1999 T. S. Abler v. 71 The Cloathing Book does not show the sporran or purse [of the Royal Highland Regiment], but other illustrations depict it as being of plain leather, closing at the top with a brass clasp. society > occupation and work > equipment > receptacle or container > bag > [noun] > woman's bag 1940 2 Dec. 4/7 Picture how dramatic a hat, purse and lapel gadget of leopard can make a simple reefer. 1979 5 Apr. 24/3 The type of purse and the way you carry it can be enough to make purse snatchers or pickpockets think twice before choosing you as a victim. 2003 L. Scottoline 28 She opened her purse, a well-worn Coach barrel bag, and rummaged inside for her wallet. 7. the world > life > the body > secretory organs > gland > specific glands > [noun] > testicle or testicles > integument of c1395 G. Chaucer 44b I haue wedded fyue, Of whiche I haue pyked out the beste, Bothe of here nether purs and of here cheste. c1400 (?a1300) (Laud) (1952) 1797 (MED) He seide on hast Þat he ȝou shulde adaunte and chast By þe top and by þe purs. tr. Palladius (Duke Humfrey) (1896) iv. 740 Knytte hym fast in his porce [v.r. purce; L. testiculum]. c1475 ( Surg. Treat. in f. 45 (MED) Þe secunde doctrine..schal treten of Ossium, þat is to seie, þe cheste or þe purs of þe cod or ballokis. The balloc coddis ben official membris..and of wommen it is y-callid a purs for curtesie. ?1507 W. Dunbar Tua Mariit Wemen (Rouen) in (1998) I. 44 And thoght his pen purly me payis in bed, His purse pays richely in recompense efter. 1569 R. Androse tr. ‘Alessio’ i. 29 To remedie the itche of the purse of the testicles. a1586 W. Kennedy in W. A. Craigie (1919) I. cxxxi. 31 Quhone pen and purs and all is peild Tak thair ane meis off mouth thankles. 1725 R. Bradley at Stoppage A Fomentation..which you are to apply to the Purse of the Beast. 1824 25 Jan. 118/1 This patient told me that the hernia was so large that it was in his purse, meaning that it had descended into the scrotum. 1888 F. T. Elworthy Puss, the scrotum of all animals. 1919 S. Spencer v. 61 The other [testicle] is found when the pig is killed to be attached to the inside of the pig, and thus is unable to descend into the scrotum or purse. 1973 Mar.–Apr. 8/4 Rams should be shorn completely (including the purse) two months before going out. the world > plants > part of plant > part defined by form or function > [noun] > bag- or bottle-like part the world > life > biology > physical aspects or shapes > indentation or cavity > [noun] > depression or cavity ?a1425 tr. Guy de Chauliac (Hunterian) f. 63v (MED) The chiste off þe galle is a panniculer purse, oþer a bledder..sette in þe concauite off þe liuer. 1528 T. Paynell tr. Arnaldus de Villa Nova in Joannes de Mediolano sig. b iij b The parte that gothe to the purse of the galle. 1613 S. Purchas viii. xiv. 688 With a naturall purse vnder her bellie, wherein shee putteth her young. 1634 T. Johnson tr. A. Paré iv. ii. 137 The Pericardium or purse of the heart. 1721 R. Bradley 28 Stamina..terminated at their Tops by small Caps or Purses called Apices. 1769 T. Pennant (new ed.) III. iv. 63 The females [of the skate] begin to cast their purses, as the fishermen call them (the bags in which the young are included). 1782 A. Monro Ess. Compar. Anat. (ed. 3) 55 in (new ed.) All fowls have..a..black triangular purse rising from the bottom of their eye just at the entry of the optic nerve. 1809 21 152 Each convolution is a kind of small purse or canal, closed externally by a double layer of cineritious and medullary matter. 1846 C. A. Johns viii. 181 These purses, as they are called, when cast by the fish, may be described as oblong, leathery, or almost horny pouches, convex on both sides. 1927 V. R. Gardner et al. vi. 68 Some of them further differ from the younger spurs in possessing club-shaped swellings (called ‘purses’ or ‘cluster bases’), each with a bud on the side and near the end. 1997 Mar. 50/2 But I think my fishmonger's way is best. He pierces the heart with a knife, through a tiny opening between the ‘purse’ (the flap on the underbelly) and the eyes. the world > the earth > minerals > mineral sources > [noun] > hollows containing minerals 1604 E. Grimeston tr. J. de Acosta iv. vi. 220 Mines of mettall..which were found as it were in purses [Sp. bolsas], and not in fixed or continued veines. 9. the world > food and drink > hunting > fishing > fishing-tackle > net > [noun] > bag at end of net the world > food and drink > hunting > equipment > trap or snare > [noun] > net > net for rabbits or hares 1821 T. L. Beddoes 2 The stars beam..Like gold-scaled fishes struggling In flimsy purse of fisher's ring. 1865 12 Aug. 376/2 Crew untied the purse of the net, and we counted our spoils. 1879 E. W. H. Holdsworth in IX. 247/1 The body of the net tapers away to the entrance to the purse. 1893 J. Watson 126 A rabbit goes rolling over and over, entangled in the purse. 1939–40 601/1 Each Seine [net] is fitted with a suitable purse of small mesh. 1973 7 July 3/1 (advt.) His clever methods of taking pheasants, partridges, hares, rabbits, grouse, trout and salmon, etc. describing the use of purse, long and clapnets, fine snares..and gamecocks to assist him. 1997 J. Haigh et al. ii. 31 The bottom of the net is then drawn together with a drawstring like a purse, and the fish trapped in the ‘purse’ are ‘brailed’ into the hold of the boat with a dipper. society > leisure > the arts > music > musical instrument > keyboard instrument > organ > [noun] > wind-chest > parts of 1852 tr. J. J. Seidel 28 To lead, instead of using the purse [Ger. der Windsäckchen oder Pulpeten], the wire through the plates of steel or brass. 1881 W. E. Dickson v. 66 This was formerly effected by ‘purses’ (French, boursettes), little leather bags, tied or otherwise attached to the pull-downs. 1952 W. L. Sumner 319 The purse is used for coupler mechanism, ventils, and instead of the larger triangular pneumatics for opening the valves of large pipes. 1942 12 Nov. 29/3 (headline) These are cheese purses. 1985 2 Oct. 9/6 Place a heaped teaspoon of stuffing in the centre of a circle [of pasta dough], then gather the edge up over the filling... The dough..will stick together where it is pressed, which makes the purses easy to shape. 1988 Oct. 231/1 Most delicious are the fattayes, little pinched purses of thinly rolled bread pastry, baked in the oven, and stuffed with chopped spinach, pine nuts, and onion. 1998 Apr. 95/1 Spoon a quarter of the rice into the middle and wrap to form a neat purse, buttering between overlaps of pastry. Phrasessociety > authority > punishment > fine > [adverb] c1387–95 G. Chaucer 657 In his purs he sholde ypunysshed be. c1410 (c1350) (Harl. 7334) 885 (MED) He was hanged by þe nek, and nouȝt by þe purs. a1552 J. Leland (1712) VIII. 14 [He] was twise taken Prisoner, wherby he was much punished by the Purse. 1950 24 Apr. 617 Is this not a case of rationing by the purse? society > trade and finance > management of money > expenditure > financial loss > suffer financial loss [verb (intransitive)] 1615 E. Sharpe sig. C2v The owner & Aduenturer of such a Busse shall not be out of purse. 1689 701/1 Name a soume for what you have been out of pours vpon inteligence. 1692 J. P. 8 Constables..which are out of Purse for their Charges. 1582 R. Stanyhurst tr. Virgil ii. 44 Thee yoonger Troians..Round to me dyd cluster, with purse and person. 1653 J. Taylor 16 Undeserv'd, unlook'd for, and unthought From them my purse and person both were fraught. 1748 S. Richardson IV. xviii. 85 If I can be of service to him, tell him he may command me, either in purse or person. 1839 C. Dickens x. 90 You feel so keenly in your own purse and person the consequences of inattention to business. 1866 261 Where the offender could not pay in purse, he had to pay in person. 1925 Apr. 65/1 (advt.) A wide variety of fabrics..in the latest New York Styles to suit every purse and person. 1984 2 48/1 The subscriber, through the pernicious habit of drinking, has greatly hurt himself in purse and person, and rendered himself odious to all. Compounds C1. a. General attributive. 1822 5 Oct. 3/5 (advt.) For sale by the Subscriber... Silver Pencil Cases & Thimbles, Velvet Purses. Purse Clasps. 1911 341 Small semi-circular purse clasp of brass. 1992 84 80 Customers have come in to get ATM cards re-activated (when a magnetic purse clasp has wiped out the magnetic strip, for example). 1872 13 Nov. It no more damaged the daily regime of the town than if a purse pocket had been cut from a man. 1963 W. S. Broughton Threnody in A. Brunton et al. 50 Sparafucile Bland with apologies, patted his purse pocket. 1992 1 May 12/2 A conga line of models began dancing out to the runway, wearing coats with leather luggage handles stitched into the back and jackets with built-in purse pockets. 1922 J. Joyce ii. xv. [Circe] 416 Bloom pats with parcelled hands watch,..bookpocket, pursepoke. 1821 4 Aug. 3/5 (advt.) Silvered purse snaps 1s. 6d. 1999 (Nexis) 31 Dec. a5 People who demagnetize their bus passes on magnetic purse snaps or wallet clips can now have their defective passes replaced. b. (In sense 3.) 1911 14 Aug. 4/2 The total purse distribution will be about $32,000. 2001 (Nexis) 29 Sept. d5 Purse distribution at Dresden this year has already exceeded $1 million and wagering is also expected to reach seven figures by the time windows close Sunday. 1928 16 Dec. 21/1 A purse end of £800 is more than Johnny need expect to receive in the States for his first fight. 1877 20 Oct. 1/6 Kaneen took the second prize—one half the purse money. 1920 Z. Grey 101 What am I going to do? Lose the pennant and a big slice of purse money just for a pretty little flirt? 1990 11 May 8/3 Income from the track's interstate wagering supports the purse money and must be used annually. 1892 22 Dec. The Coney Island outfit has tied up Burge to a purse offer of $20,000. 1973 16 Mar. 13/6 The long awaited return match between Bobby Arthur and John Stracey for the British welterweight title..is now up for purse offers. 2005 (Nexis) 20 Jan. 52 The Garthamlock stylist had been pencilled in to face Gomez but withdrew after being insulted by a paltry purse offer and then floored by a virus. 1877 24 Dec. The purse winnings of the bay gelding Comee last season were $6400. 1970 28 Sept. 20/4 In each of those starts he was carrying between 119 and 123 pounds because of his purse winnings in South America. 2005 (Nexis) 17 Feb. d4/1 If a horse tests positive, any purse winnings will be withheld. c. (In sense ‘that is like a purse, pursed up’.) 1652 J. Gaule 185 A purse lip, [forespeaks] a scraping sneak; and a blabber lip, a nasty slut. 1577 sig. M.ijv The necke..in her concauitie hath many inuolutions and pleates,..shut togeather as a Purse mouth. 1652 J. Mayne x. 90 Shut thy purse-mouth, Old Trot, And let's appeal. 1748 S. Richardson VI. cxxiii. 390 She pointed over my head, with a purse-mouth, as if she would not have simper'd, could she have help'd it. 1855 Ld. Tennyson Maud i. xv, in 8 Maud with her sweet purse-mouth when my father dangled the grapes. 1993 J. Meades (1994) 175 It wasn't, Jean-Marie realised, the building that Bruno Berg was looking at with purse-mouth, ploughed-brow concentration. d. Objective. (a) society > occupation and work > worker > workers according to type of work > manual or industrial worker > producer > makers of containers or receptacles > [noun] > maker of purses 1456 in F. Collins (1897) I. 175 (MED) Willelmus Edmond, pursemaker. 1630 Mathew Holt of All Saints', Canterbury, pursemaker. 1721 G. Townesend (ed. 3) 258 A Purse maker, Marsupiarius. 1887 16 Apr. The crocodile bids fair to go, since his hide is wanted by the purse-makers and shoemakers. 1992 Sept. 163/1 Florence's most famous bridge..has always been a bazaar, formerly for tanners and pursemakers, and currently for goldsmiths. society > occupation and work > worker > workers according to type of work > manual or industrial worker > producer > makers of containers or receptacles > [noun] > maker of purses 1905 21 Jan. 6/3 Mother keeps him by going out to work as a purse-sewer. (b) In colloquial and slang terms referring to a pickpocket or to the theft of a purse. the mind > possession > taking > stealing or theft > thief > robber > [noun] > highwayman > who takes purses 1602 T. Fitzherbert 8 A pursecatcher vpon the high-way, &..a common horse-stealer. the mind > possession > taking > stealing or theft > thief > robber > [noun] > highwayman > who takes purses 1895 18 Sept. 1/4 The purse-lifters understood their work and seemed to have an organized gang which worked in different parts of the crowd. 1900 tr. J. Janssen IV. 288 Purse-lifters, loafers, depredators and thieves of all sorts. 2001 (Nexis) 8 Oct. Train commuters beware. Some women purse-lifters are on the prowl to snatch jewellery. the mind > possession > taking > stealing or theft > thief > robber > [noun] > highwayman > who takes purses 1893 29 Dec. It set the fashion of carrying your money in your stocking, and I was so afraid of purse-snatchers. 1986 28 May 10 A purse-snatcher was in jail yesterday because he tried to rob an English aristocrat, aged 87. 2005 M. A. Cohen ii. 19 Potential victims might take other precautions such as..avoiding certain neighborhoods or shopping districts which purse snatchers are more likely to frequent. the mind > possession > taking > stealing or theft > cutting or stealing purses > [noun] 1880 27 May 12/1 (headline) Purse snatching. 1906 R. Whiteing 44 Two youths having been put away for a purse-snatching case. 1997 17 Oct. a20/5 Grand larcenies include purse snatching, pocket-picking and a type of theft called lush working, in which people sleeping on the subway are robbed. e. Similative and parasynthetic. 1629 J. Gaule 324 Beetle-brow'd, Purse-lip't. 1979 M. McCarthy xii. 329 ‘Of the old school, that one,’ he said to Henk..with a pale purse-lipped smile. 1991 (U.S. ed.) July 128/1 You're likely to be answered by a chorus of purse-lipped pooh-poohing. 1792 W. Withering Dict. Bot. Terms p. lxxv, in (ed. 2) III. Purse-shaped, like a purse that draws together with strings at the top. 1881 June 34/2 The Amazonian humming-birds..weave their long, purse-shaped nests of fine vegetable fibres. 1992 30 May (Suppl.) 14/1 Tuna fishermen..round up the dolphins and trap them, along with the tuna, in purse-shaped nets. C2. society > occupation and work > equipment > receptacle or container > bag > [noun] > woman's bag 1881 12 Nov. 5/6 The two purse bags belonging to him were not in the pockets. 1914 G. B. Shaw Fanny's Last Play iii, in 198 Putting down..her purse-bag. 2005 (Nexis) 3 Mar. 9 Cute purse bags slung over the model's shoulders on silver chains. society > trade and finance > money > place for keeping money > money-bag, -purse, or -belt > [noun] 1901 R. Kipling Kim x, in June 187/1 A worn old purse-belt embroidered with porcupine quill-patterns. 1991 21 Dec. 1581/2 In my purse-belt I stash away a feather, a stone, and a skein of ivory wool. 1852 tr. J. J. Seidel 50 That part of the bottom of the great sound-board, upon which these bags or purses are glued, is called the purse-board [Ger. Beutelbrett]. society > travel > travel by water > vessel, ship, or boat > fishing vessel > [noun] > using purse-net 1871 2 Sept. 271/1 When the hundred and forty fathoms or so have been cast into the water, they run alongside, and all hands are in the ‘purse-boat in a twinkling’. 1911 Sept. 25/2 Conant Brothers Company, Incorporated make a specialty of the construction of Purse boats, used so widely in purse net fishing along the coast. 2003 (Nexis) 9 Apr. f1 Two 40-foot purse boats, launched from a mother ship, are used to set nets 1,800 feet long and 60 feet deep. 1902 11 Apr. 9/1 Described as ‘the king of purse-bouncers’—people who practised the ‘purse-trick’. 1907 5 Sept. 4/1 Officers of the C.I.D. from London, whose quarry was ‘purse bouncers’, three-card trick sharpers, and other manipulators of ‘games of skill’. 1790 J. Woodforde 25 May (1927) III. 192 The Purse-Club..came to my House this Morning with Cockades in their Hats. 1805 W. Taylor in 3 176 The guilds, or purse-clubs, of the different companies of tradesmen are not modern inventions, but of Syriac origin. 1999 R. Price vii. 256 The friendly and benefit societies, the eighteenth-century purse clubs and other convivial, social and even moral reforming societies that dotted the urban landscape after about 1700. the world > animals > invertebrates > phylum Arthropoda > class Crustacea > [noun] > subclass Malacostraca > division Thoracostraca > order Decapoda > suborder Macrura > member of genus Birgus of Paguridae 1713 J. Petiver i Cancer Crumenatus... Purse-Crab. 1840 E. Blyth et al. 418 According to a native tradition, it feeds upon the fruit of the cocoa-nut, making its excursions during the night. It is of large size, and is called the Purse Crab. 1942 12 185/2 Persephona punctata (L.). The purse crab was found on exposed sand beaches after onshore winds, but was more often caught in trawls in deep water. 1997 17 618/1 The purse crab Persephona mediterranea (Herbst) is common on the adjacent continental shelf. 1909 at Purse sb. Purse crew. 1589 H. Wotton Let. (modernized text) in L. P. Smith (1907) I. 235 Notwithstanding these purse-crosses, I find myself..able to carry the state of a gentleman with sufficiency. 1883 G. B. Goode et al. ii. 61 The two ends of the purse line bring the seine together at the purse-davit. 1981 4 387/1 The tom weight is retrieved and secured aboard the cap boat under the purse davit. society > trade and finance > management of money > income, revenue, or profit > getting or making money > [noun] > one who wants or acquires money > specific desirously or avariciously the mind > possession > taking > stealing or theft > thief > robber > [noun] > highwayman > who takes purses 1611 J. Florio at Vuotaborse A nicke-name giuen to Lawyers or Phisicians, a purce-emptier. 1886 3 June 4/1 Worthy of ranking with Turpin, Paul Clifford, and the other celebrated purse-emptiers. 1904 H. D. Sedgwick xviii. 199 That eternal dialogue between the purse-holder and the purse-emptier, which commonly fills so much larger a part in the correspondence between father and son. 2002 (Nexis) 31 Dec. The fickle young purse-emptiers are dragging their poor parents halfway across Christendom to find them. 1803 G. Shaw IV. 599 Purse-eyed Mackrel, Scomber Crumenophthalmus. 1983 (Nexis) Dec. 10 The main fish caught by this technique, the purse-eyed scad, can only be acquired during a portion of the night hours. 1676 W. Wycherley iii. i Well, a plague and purse-famine light on the law! 1906 18 Aug. 6/2 It is one of the cruelties of fate that the ice famine should be sprung upon a helpless, sweltering community just as one returns from the lakes with a purse famine. 1879 29 Jan. A purse gang will set several times at the same school, and when they dodge them, the fish will rise within a hundred feet of the seine. the world > animals > fish > superclass Agnatha > [noun] > order Cyclostomata or Marsipobranchi > member of 1863 i. 58 This order [sc. Hyperoartii] includes the well known ‘Lamper Eel’, and is equivalent to the Marsipobranchii, (purse gills), of other authors. the world > animals > fish > parts of fish > [adjective] > having specific type of gills 1890 Purse-gilled, marsipobranchiate. the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > clothing for body or trunk (and limbs) > [noun] > belt or sash > types of > other 1559 in F. Collins (1902) I. 83 My purse gyrdell. 1690 Inventory 13 May in M. Spufford (1984) 163 Imprimis his purse gurdle weareing apparell and reddy money. 1886 A. J. Church x. 168 The purse girdle which he wore around his waist. 1831 24 Aug. 1/3 In these transactions Mr. Hudson appeared to be the purse-holder. 1904 H. D. Sedgwick xviii. 199 A father, as the purseholder, has relations and correspondence with a son which differ a little in tenor from those which mother and sister have. 1991 Sept. 99/2 For each country, there are a bewildering variety of national funds, regional funds, and EC funds, each with its own purseholder. the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > headgear > [noun] > hood > other 1623 C. Butler (rev. ed.) i. sig. C2v For the safeguard of your face..prouide a purs-hood made of course boultering, to be drawn and knit about your collar. society > trade and finance > management of money > income, revenue, or profit > getting or making money > [noun] > one who wants or acquires money > specific desirously or avariciously 1605 J. Sylvester tr. G. de S. Du Bartas i. iii. 110 Proud Purse-Leaches, Harpies of Westminster. 1648 Brit. Bell-man in VII. 625 So long as you harpyes, you sucking purse~leeches, and your implements be our masters. 1856 J. J. Jarves 138 All these are purse-leeches, united in a common league to defraud and extort. 1862 27 Sept. 198/3 After rowing around the fish the bottom is closed by a purse line and the fish are secure. 1940 C. M. Wilson viii. 127 The purse line, usually 700 feet long, passes through brass rings suspended on loops regularly spaced along the lower end of the net. 1994 Spring 21/3 (caption) Once in place, the net is drawn closed at the bottom with a rope or cable called a purse line. 1624 J. Smith Pref. 4 Thrust the beggar out of dores That is not Purse-lyn'd. 1934 1 Feb. 6/4 There seem to be three times as many night places as the moderately purse-lined tourists can support. 1817 S. T. Coleridge 245 The Dane, whom he described as a fool, purse-mad. 1927 18 Sept. 18/2 Honesty and sobriety ribald jokes of power-drunk, purse-mad thugs. 1621 R. Burton i. ii. iii. xv. 176 Such a purse-milking nation: Gown'd vultures, theeues, and a litigious rout Of coseners. 1825 S. T. Coleridge (1971) V. 418 One of a ‘crumenimulga Natio’—i.e. a purse-milking Set. 1628 T. Venner 364 In like manner this purse mulgent physician not long since dealt with a gentlewoman. 1610 Bp. J. Hall 590 You send me to Sheet-penances and Purse-penances. 1610 Edinb. Test. XLVI. f. 166v, in at Purs-penny Twa siluir purs penneyis at iiij li. the peice. a1693 M. Bruce (1708) 38 If I had these three purse-pennies, I wad think nothing to go thorow all the world with them. a1728 J. Spottiswoode (1734) 538 The best Piece of Gold, commonly called A Purse-penny. 1821 W. Scott I. vi. 142 I will test upon it at my death, and keep it for a purse-penny till that day comes. 1948 F. Thompson ix. 188 A bride ought by rights to have her purse-penny when she leaves home. 1603 J. Davies Pref. 15 Purse-pinched, and Soule-pain'd. 1957 R. S. West xiv. 195 Copperheads and defeatists like Vallandigham won the votes of purse-pinched farmers. 1993 (Nexis) 6 June 3 Rooms decorated by purse-pinched student members of ASID, who worked with nothing but their own hands and bright ideas. 1889 K. Munroe iii. 40 Through these [rings] ran a second stout line, known as the ‘purse-rope’. 1913 22 Feb. 11/1 The net has a row of brass rings strung along the bottom, and through these runs the purserope. 1990 F. Dodman (ed. 2) iii. 81 The purse-rope is drawn in and the bag reduced in size. 1836 15 Apr. 3/2 English worsted binding, sewing silks of every color, sadlers' silks, purse silks, netting silks, floss silks, working cotton. 1851 S. Warner I. xxvi. 325 Alice's fingers drove a little steel hook through and through some purse silk in a mysterious fashion that no eye could be quick enough to follow. 1977 27 June 13/2–3 (caption) The long, easy shirt in purse silk charmeuse..is from Halston's fall collection. the world > animals > invertebrates > phylum Arthropoda > class Arachnida > [noun] > order Aranea > miscellaneous types > atypus abbatti (purse-web spider) 1890 Purse-spider, a spider, Atypus niger, which spins a close web of varying shape and size against the bark of trees at the surface of the ground. society > trade and finance > management of money > income, revenue, or profit > getting or making money > [noun] > one who wants or acquires money > specific desirously or avariciously 1671 E. Maynwaring 62 Such that make a prey of Patients, and are Purse-suckers. 1850 G. W. Lovell iii. i. 34 Mercy on us! I shall ruin poor Lord Arden if I stay with this purse-sucker any longer. 1823 in J. Baillie 210 Purse-swol'n neighbours. 1905 2 Aug. 5/2 It now relieves the people from the tribute they pay to the purse-swollen trusts. the world > plants > particular plants > cultivated or valued plants > particular cultivated or ornamental plants > particular flower or plant esteemed for flower > [noun] > lily and allied flowers > hyacinth and allied flowers > grape-hyacinth or tassel-hyacinth 1629 J. Parkinson 116 The whole stalke with the flowers vpon it, doth somewhat resemble a long Purse tassel, and thereupon diuers Gentlewomen haue so named it. 1728 R. Bradley Purse-Tassels, in Latin, Hyacinthus comosus major purpureus. 1866 J. Lindley & T. Moore II. 942/1 Purse-tassels, Muscari comosum. 1920 22 Sept. 3 (advt.) Purse Tassels and cards may be had here. 1993 J. Longrigg 228 The Egyptian thistle, white Egyptian oil, Egyptian salt,..and the ‘purse tassels’ from Egyptian cornfields are recommended for use in douches. 1870 24 Mar. 11/4 The prisoner is a person who attends races and performs what is commonly known as ‘the purse trick’. 1907 14 Oct. 6/7 The boundless impertinence of the purse-trick man. 1955 29 Dec. 28/1 (headline) 2 women get $46 in old purse trick. The old ‘pigeon drop’ confidence game still works, police reported today. 2000 J. Belchem ii. 44 ‘The Bouncer’, a notorious figure in the Scotland Road district who sold pills on street corners [and] frequented the races to play the ‘purse trick’. 1819 18 Nov. 4/4 (advt.) The entire and valuable stock in trade, comprising an extensive assortment of purse twist, dram skeins, floss and sewing silks, tailor's twist, raven and cloth sewings. 1936 28 Apr. 3/5 (advt.) Art needlework reduced... 1 spool brown purse twist. 1882 1 47 They had to reeve the end of the purse-line through the blocks, before they put the purse-weight overboard. 1545 sig. cijv Pursewyer the dossen pounde v.s. 1852 tr. J. J. Seidel 50 The wire going through the purse is called the purse-wire. Derivatives 1706 tr. F. de la Calmette i. 38 The Fibres..gird the Stomach from top to bottom; these are pretty numerous, and Purse-like, draw its Cavity together. 1834 (Royal Soc.) 124 396 To develop the optic nerves..in the form of successive series of purse-like layers of fibres. 1915 8 Feb. Corded silk in a soft rose shade forms the lining, the centre section being a purse-like compartment. 2004 (Nexis) 1 Nov. 40 Divine Valentine Cookies are pink-tinted, mini-bite, heart-shaped chocolate chip cookies in a fun purse-like package. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2007; most recently modified version published online June 2022). pursev. Origin: Formed within English, by conversion. Etymon: purse n. Etymology: < purse n. Compare Anglo-Norman burser , Anglo-Norman and Old French borser , Middle French bourser to amass money (early 13th cent. in Anglo-Norman), in Anglo-Norman also to put (something) into one's pocket (end of the 13th cent. or earlier). Compare pocket v. the world > space > place > placing or fact of being placed in (a) position > insertion or putting in > insert or put in [verb (transitive)] > into a pocket, purse, or pouch a1400 (c1303) R. Mannyng (Harl.) 6148 For shal y neuer, aftyr þys day, Purs pens, ȝyf þat y may. c1460 (?c1400) 3634 (MED) In soth I have þe wors; ffor I am sikir by þis pleynt þat I shal litil purs. a1500 (a1460) (1897–1973) 240 (MED) Yit my hyer, may I clame, no penny I purst. ?1577 J. Northbrooke 90 It is not lawfull to play for mony, to winne it, and purse it vp. 1637 J. Milton 22 I purs't it up, but little reck'ning made Till now that this extremity compell'd. 1659 Noell in T. Burton (1828) IV. 416 I never purse one penny of it. 1724 A. Ramsay Vision in I. xxiii Sum thanes thair tennants pykt and squeist, And purst up all thair rent. 1810 G. Crabbe xix. 261 I've not allow'd me time To purse the Pieces. 1871 R. Browning Balaustion in (1888–94) XI. 34 With indifferent eye, [she] Saw him purse money up, prepare to leave The buyer with a solitary bale. the mind > emotion > calmness > patience > endure patiently [verb (transitive)] > bear with or tolerate a1425 (?c1350) (1964) 1277 (MED) His prowd wordes er now al purst, For..ful ill he durst Anes luke opon þat knyght Þat he made bost with to fyght. a1500 (a1460) (1897–1973) 107 (MED) Let vs cryb furst for oone thing or oder, That thise wordis be purst. ?1571 tr. G. Buchanan sig. Kiij He [sc. Darnley] was constrainit in silence to purse vp his passit iniuries. a1617 S. Hieron Penance for Sinne in (1620) II. 314 A man is vtterly disgraced, if either he purse vp a disgrace, or else decline the fight when he is challenged. 1691 J. Dryden iii. i. 34 I am Spell-caught by Philidel, And purs'd within a Net. a1563 J. Bale (1969) ii. 1852 With Iudas we loue wele to be purste. 1614 J. Cooke D 4 b Purse. The butcher and the baker then shall stay. Spend. They must till I am some what stronger purst. a1652 R. Brome City Wit ii. iii. sig. B8v, in (1653) How Is she purs'd, Jack? Is she strong that way? 4. the world > space > shape > unevenness > projection or prominence > corrugation > become corrugated [verb (intransitive)] > become wrinkled 1597 J. Gerard iii. clxii. 1384 The Mushrums or Toodstooles which grow vpon the trunks or bodies of old trees..whose vpper part is somwhat plaine..but the lower part is plaited or pursed togither. 1710 D. Manley I. iii. 319 Her Brows purs'd, she wrinkl'd her Forehead. 1748 S. Richardson V. ii. 35 The maiden lady fann'd away, and primm'd and purs'd. 1814 R. Southey vi. 87 His eye-lids stiffen'd and pursed up. 1931 W. Faulkner in Mar. 261/2 Her mouth pursed out like a spreading adder's, like a rubber mouth. 1988 A. Brookner vi. 83 Under stress of great emotion his lips would very slightly purse. the world > life > the body > skin > textures or states of skin > [verb (transitive)] > wrinkle the world > space > extension in space > reduction in size or extent > reduce in size or extent [verb (transitive)] > contract or shrink 1598 F. Meres tr. Luis de Granada vi. 153 The mouth shall bee distorted and pursed, the lippes shall grow blew. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1622) iii. iii. 117 Thou..didst contract, and purse thy brow together. View more context for this quotation 1668 N. Culpeper & A. Cole tr. T. Bartholin (new ed.) i. v. 9 If you cut a Muscle..it purses it self round and draws it self into it self like a ball. 1747 J. Parsons Crounian Lect. 14 in (Royal Soc.) 44 Their Action is only to purse up the Mouth, as in whistling and blowing. 1839–47 III. 117/1 I have thus seen the superior aperture of the glottis..pursed up and closed. 1896 O. Schreiner i. xii. 114 Pursing out his lips, and waving his hand, he solemnly addressed the boy. 1925 Aug. 418/2 Willoughby pursed his face, looking into the sodless yard. 1961 19 Dec. 4/6 Nina's lips were pursed in the thin line of annoyance. 1993 K. S. Robinson (new ed.) 318 He pursed his lips and concentrated on the icescape. the world > space > relative position > arrangement or fact of being arranged > state of being gathered together > gather together [verb (transitive)] 1809 B. H. Malkin tr. A. R. Le Sage I. iii. i. 322 I looked hard at my master..and pursed up all my penetration [Fr. j'employai toute ma pénetration] to remark upon the effect of my intelligence. the mind > possession > taking > stealing or theft > cutting or stealing purses > cut or steal purses [verb (intransitive)] 1616 F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher i. sig. B3v Ile purse; if that raise mee not, Ile bet at bowling-alleys. 1632 Lyly's Gallathea (new ed.) in sig. P10v The trade of pursing neare shal faile, Until the Hangman cryes strike saile.] 1822 C. Lamb in June 535/2 Was this a story to purse up people's hearts, and pennies, against giving an alms to the blind? 1871 When the seine is pursed or being pursed such part B makes a bottom for it to prevent the escape of fish. 1880 Sept. 510/1 The two ends are brought together, and the net pursed up. 1950 23 July (Mag. section) 5/1 When the school is completely circled, the bottom of the net is pulled together, or pursed, by lines, and the fish are captive. 1972 F. Mowat xiv. 172 Might be able to purse what herring there is in the cove and drag the seine right in through the gut. 2002 C. Safina 253 The fishing gear was a purse seine, an enormous curtain of netting dropped around a school of fish in a circle and then pursed together at the bottom. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2007; most recently modified version published online June 2022). <  n.lOE v.a1400 |
