Purse:
A purse is a small bag used by the women to carry the cash, bank notes, makeup, etc. It can hold the purse as well and is carried over the shoulder. It is fashionably designed.
Wallet:
Wallets are small flat case which is used to carry cash, identification documents such as license, credit cards etc. It is usually foldable. It is made up of leather or fabrics. It is used by men.
Differences:
| Basis | Purse | Wallet |
|---|---|---|
| Definition (www.oxforddictionaries.com) |
A small pouch of leather or plastic used for carrying money, typically by a woman | A pocket-sized flat folding case for holding money and plastic cards. |
| Synonyms | Handbag, pouch, billfold, reserves, prize, bag | Notecase, sheath, drawer, basket, sack, scabbard |
| Types | Its types are:
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Its types are:
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| History | Purses and handbags have their origins in early pouches used to carry seeds, religious items and medicine. Early on, both men and women carried pouches. In the 15th century, a purse was a traditional gift from a groom to his bride. | Wallets were invented in the late 1600’s; almost immediately after paper currency was introduced. Paper currency was invented in Massachusetts in 1690. Prior to this, simple purses were used to carry around metal coins. These purses resembled small, drawstring bags. The first wallets were generally made from cow or horse leather, and had one small pouch for where people would place their identification cards (know then as calling cards). |
| Word origin | The word purse was originated from Late Old English, alteration of late Latin bursa ‘purse’, from Greek bursa ‘hide, leather’. The current verb sense (from the notion of drawing purse strings) dates from the early 17th century. | The word wallet was originated from Late Middle English (denoting a bag for provisions): probably via Anglo-Norman French from a Germanic word related to well. The current sense (originally US) dates from the mid-19th century. |
| Size | A purse is larger. | A wallet is smaller. |
| Usage | A purse is used by female. | A wallet is used by male. |
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