Etymology Map
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Purse

3 stages from Late Latin to English.

Today it means a small bag for money

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

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

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.