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In American English, a purse is a small bag, also called a handbag. This term is more commonly used among people on the east coast.
In British English, a purse is a small money container similar to a wallet, but typically used by women and including a compartment for coins, with a handbag being considerably larger.
A purse or handbag is often fashionably-designed, and is used to hold a number of items such as a wallet, keys, tissues, makeup, a hairbrush, feminine products, or other items.
Variations
The word purse is originally derived from the Latin bursa, from the Greek βυρσα, meaning oxhide.
Purses are usually carried by women, though men sometimes carry one as a smaller alternative to a backpack; such a purse is sometimes self-consciously termed a murse or manbag (portmanteaus "man" with "purse" and "handbag" respectively). It can also be called a man-purse. Such bags are often similar or identical to messenger bags.
Crocodile skin handbags in a conservation exhibit at Bristol Zoo, England
Crocodile skin handbags in a conservation exhibit at Bristol Zoo, England
Coin purses are small purses, just large enough to hold money and cards.
A medium-to-small-sized purse with a short handle, designed to be carried (clutched) in one's hand is often called a clutch.
A larger purse with two handles is often called a tote.
A pocketbook is similar to a purse (in the British English sense), but allows the carrying of sheets of paper as well.
A security bag protects the carrier from travel theft. The purse includes an invisible stainless steel strap sewn into the fabric and a protectant on the main zipper.
Types of handbags
- Clutch: Small, usually evening bag without a handle. Gayest of all purses, doubly so on Tony night.
- Satchel: large bag with small handle that is carried on the arm rather than on the shoulder
- Duffle: A large bag usually used for travel or sports
- Tote: A medium to large bag with two straps
- Butler Bag: Compartmentalized handbag
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