■ noun
1》 chiefly Brit. a small pouch of leather or plastic used for carrying money.
2》 N. Amer. a handbag.
3》 an amount of money available; funds.
↘a sum of money given as a prize in a sporting contest.
■ verb (with reference to the lips) pucker or contract.
Phrases
hold the ~ strings have control of expenditure.
Origin
OE, alt. of late L. bursa , from Gk bursa 'hide, leather'.