purse

Everyday

1. A purse is a small bag for carrying money and coins (UK, Ireland, Australia). tree →
2. In American English, a purse is a woman's handbag. tree →
3. A purse is the money in a prize: the race had a big purse. tree →
4. To purse your lips is to squeeze them into a small round shape. tree →

In the lessons

In maths: a place where money is kept; amounts in the purse go up when money is put in and down when it is spent; the price of a purse. In everyday life: carrying coins and cards, keeping your purse safe. In stories: a magic purse that never empties; «she pursed her lips» shows she is cross or thinking.

Examples

• Mom has $45 in her purse. tree →
• She takes $12 out of her purse to pay. tree →
• A purse costs $18. tree →
• How much money is left in her purse? tree →
• Grandma keeps her coins in a little purse. tree →
• She left her purse on the bus. tree →
• The winner of the race gets the whole purse. tree →
• Mum pursed her lips when she saw the mess. tree →
• Keep your purse zipped in busy places. tree →
• ‘Then give me back the purse,’ said John. tree →

Note

A container for money, not a number; money taken out of the purse is subtracted, money put in is added. Trap: «a purse costs $18» is the price of the purse, not money inside it. US «purse» = UK «handbag»; UK «purse» = a small coin bag (US «change purse»); a man's is usually a wallet.

In Jewish tradition

In Proverbs it means a shared money bag, in the words of robbers who invite someone to join them.

Interpretation. The tradition reads this as a warning against joining bad company, even when it promises easy gain.

Examples

• Cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one purse' — (Writings PRO.1.14, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

A container for money, not a number; money taken out of the purse is subtracted, money put in is added. Trap: «a purse costs $18» is the price of the purse, not money inside it. US «purse» = UK «handbag»; UK «purse» = a small coin bag (US «change purse»); a man's is usually a wallet.