cutpurse

English

Alternative forms

  • cut-purse

Etymology

From cut + purse: originally, purses were worn by a strap at the girdle, which the thief would cut.

Pronunciation

  • (UK) IPA(key): /ˌkʌtˈpɜːs/
  • (US) IPA(key): /ˌkʌtˈpɝs/
  • (UK)
  • (US)
  • enPR: kŭtʹpûrs'

Noun

cutpurse (plural cutpurses)

  1. A thief who steals from others' purses or pockets in public.
    • 1602 : William Shakespeare, Hamlet, act III scene 4
      A cutpurse of the empire and the rule
    • c. 1620, anonymous, “Tom o’ Bedlam’s Song” in Giles Earle his Booke (British Museum, Additional MSS. 24, 665):
      The Gipsie snap & Pedro
      are none of Toms Comradoes,
      yͤ punck I skorne, & yͤ cutpurse sworn
      & yͤ roring boyes brauadoes

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