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
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
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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