purse etymology

Etymology

"Purse" derives from the Middle English word "purs," which in turn comes from the Old French word "bourse," meaning "bag." The term "bourse" is thought to originate from the Greek word "byrsa," meaning "hide" or "skin," referring to the material used to make early pouches and bags.

Meaning

• A small bag or pouch used for carrying money, credit cards, identification, and other small items.
• A sum of money, often specifically the total amount of money in possession or available.

Origin

• The earliest known purses were made from animal skins and were used to store coins and valuables as early as the Bronze Age.
• In the Middle Ages, purses evolved into more elaborate designs, made from fabrics such as leather, silk, or velvet.
• By the 16th century, purses had become a common fashion accessory for both men and women, with intricate designs and embellishments.
• In the 19th and 20th centuries, purses became more functional and specialized, with compartments for different types of items and designs tailored to specific uses (e.g., evening bags, day bags).

purse relate terms

• bourse

  Etymology The word bourse derives from the Late Latin term bursa which originally m

• purse

  Etymology Purse derives from the Middle English word purs which in turn comes from t

• bursar

  Etymology The word bursar comes from the Latin word bursa meaning purse or bag

• pucker

  Etymology Late Middle English as a verb from earlier pukeren of uncertain Germanic

• poke

  Etymology The word poke is derived from the Middle English word poken which means t

• purse

  Etymology Purse derives from the Middle English word purs which in turn comes from t

• pudding

  Etymology The word pudding is derived from the French word boudin which originally

• reimburse

  Etymology The word reimburse originates from two Latin terms re meaning back o

• marsupial

  Etymology Latin marsupium pouch Greek μάρσιππος marsippos pouch M

• fiscal

  Etymology The word fiscal comes from the Latin word fiscus which referred to a baske

• poke

  Etymology The word poke is derived from the Middle English word poken which means t

• wrinkle

  Etymology Middle English wrinkel from Old English wrincle a derivative of wrince

• contract

  Etymology The word contract comes from the Latin word contractus which means drawn