purse

Where does the word "purse" come from? It comes from Late Latin byrsa, passing through Old French before entering English (1000s).

Purse’s story begins in Late Latin: byrsa meant “hide, leather.” A Greek word for leather. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as borse. Also gave 'bursar' and 'bourse', a stock exchange. It reached English by 1000s as purse. 'purse strings' means control of money. Today, purse means a small bag for money.

1. Stage 1 · Late Latin · ancient byrsa "hide, leather", a Greek word for leather.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval borse "bag for money", also gave 'bursar' and 'bourse', a stock exchange.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1000s purse "a money bag", 'purse strings' means control of money.