How Do You Spell PICKPURSE?

Pronunciation: [pˈɪkpɜːs] (IPA)

The word "pickpurse" is spelled with two p's, despite having a similar sound to "pixie" or "picture". This is because the word originated from the Middle English word "pykk-purse" which combined "pykk" (to pick) and "purse". In IPA phonetic transcription, the word would be written as /ˈpɪk.pɜrs/ with emphasis on the first syllable. Despite being an old-fashioned term for a thief who steals from pockets or purses, "pickpocket" is now more commonly used.

PICKPURSE Meaning and Definition

1. Pickpurse is a term that originated in the 16th century and refers to a thief or a pickpocket. It is a compound word, combining the words "pick" and "purse." A pickpocket is a skilled thief who specializes in stealthily removing valuables from pockets, purses, or bags without the knowledge or consent of the owner. Similarly, a pickpurse can be any individual who practices this form of theft.

   The main characteristic of a pickpurse is their ability to subtly pick or remove items from another person's belongings, typically in crowded places, such as markets, public transportation, or busy streets. They are often cunning and adept at distracting their victims, using various techniques such as bumping into them, engaging in small talk, or creating other diversions to mask their nefarious actions.

   Pickpurses target valuable items such as wallets, cash, smartphones, jewelry, or any other easily pilfered possessions. They exploit the lack of awareness or vigilance of their victims, taking advantage of crowded environments where people often have their guards down.

   Engaging in such activities is illegal and considered a form of theft, punishable by law in many jurisdictions. It is important for individuals to remain cautious and take preventive measures to protect their belongings when in public places to avoid falling victim to pickpurses or other types of theft.

Common Misspellings for PICKPURSE

• oickpurse
• lickpurse
• -ickpurse
• 0ickpurse
• puckpurse
• pjckpurse
• pkckpurse
• pockpurse
• p9ckpurse
• p8ckpurse
• pixkpurse
• pivkpurse
• pifkpurse
• pidkpurse
• picjpurse
• picmpurse
• piclpurse
• picopurse
• picipurse
• pickourse

Etymology of PICKPURSE

The word "pickpurse" is derived from two separate words: "pick" and "purse".

- "Pick" originates from the Middle English word "piken", which means "to pick" or "to peck". This word had Germanic roots, and is related to the Old High German word "pickön" and the Old Norse word "pikka". Over time, "pick" came to be associated with taking or stealing something stealthily or with nimble fingers, as in the case of pickpocketing.

- "Purse" comes from the Old English word "purs", which denoted a small bag used for carrying money, especially coins. This word can be traced back to the Latin word "bursa", meaning "hide, skin, or bag", which also gave rise to similar words in other Romance languages.