purse string

1 of 2

noun

1

: one of the drawstrings of a purse by which its mouth is opened or closed

2

purse strings plural : financial resources

those who have control of our municipal purse strings

purse strings will thus continue to control the distribution of … documents

—Economist

purse-string

2 of 2

adjective

1

: formed or drawn in the manner of a purse string

a wind-tight purse-string closure about the neck

see purse-string suture

2

: involving control of financial matters : acting through financial control

committee would have purse-string power to enforce the decisions

—The National Jewish Monthly

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from purs, purse purse + string

Adjective

purse string

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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