Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun One who steals the purse or from the purse of another.
  • noun Same as pickpocket, 2.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • noun One who steals purses, or money from purses.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun One who steals purses, or money from purses.

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

pick +‎ purse

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Examples

  • Though carefully brought up she was particularly restive under discipline, and finally became launched as a "bully, pickpurse, fortune-teller, receiver and forger" in all of which capacities she achieved considerable notoriety.

    Musa Pedestris - Three Centuries of Canting Songs and Slang Rhymes [1536 - 1896] John S. Farmer

  • But Dryden has judiciously omitted or softened some degrading and some disgusting circumstances; as the “cook scalded in spite of his long ladle,” the “swine devouring the cradled infant,” the “pickpurse,” and other circumstances too grotesque or ludicrous to harmonise with the dreadful group around them.

    The Dramatic Works of John Dryden Scott, Walter, Sir 1882

  • But Dryden has judiciously omitted or softened some degrading and some disgusting circumstances; as the "cook scalded in spite of his long ladle," the "swine devouring the cradled infant," the "pickpurse," and other circumstances too grotesque or ludicrous to harmonise with the dreadful group around them.

    The Dramatic Works of John Dryden, Volume 1 With a Life of the Author Walter Scott 1801

  • Alisting some fat pickpurse friar, with his oily words, belike? "

    For the Master's Sake A Story of the Days of Queen Mary Emily Sarah Holt 1864

Comments

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  • Sounds more interesting than pickpocket.

    June 8, 2016