handbag

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a container used for carrying money and small personal items or accessories (especially by women)

Etymology

From hand + bag. The music genre is named from women dancing around a pile of their handbags in nightclubs. The verb is a reference to Margaret Thatcher's handbag.

In classic literature

Synonyms

bag, pocketbook, purse

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