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.-hence, a treasury; finances; as, the public purse.-a sum of money offered as a prize, or collected as a present; as, to win the purse; to make up a purse.-a specific sum of money-in turkey, the sum of 500 piasters.-in persia, the sum of 50 tomans.-to put into a purse.-to draw up or contract into folds or wrinkles, like the mouth of a purse; to pucker; to knit.-to steal purses; to rob.