Definition of purse

• n. - A small bag or pouch, the opening of which is made to draw together closely, used to carry money in; by extension, any receptacle for money carried on the person; a wallet; a pocketbook; a portemonnaie.
• n. - Hence, a treasury; finances; as, the public purse.
• n. - A sum of money offered as a prize, or collected as a present; as, to win the purse; to make up a purse.
• n. - A specific sum of money
• n. - In Turkey, the sum of 500 piasters.
• n. - In Persia, the sum of 50 tomans.
• v. t. - To put into a purse.
• v. t. - To draw up or contract into folds or wrinkles, like the mouth of a purse; to pucker; to knit.
• v. i. - To steal purses; to rob.