pur|pose|ly /pɜː r pəsli/ ADV [usu ADV with v, oft ADV adj] If you do something purposely , you do it intentionally. [FORMAL ] □ They are purposely withholding information.
purr /pɜː r / (purrs , purring , purred )
1 VERB When a cat purrs , it makes a low vibrating sound with its throat because it is contented. □ [V ] The plump ginger kitten had settled comfortably in her arms and was purring enthusiastically.
2 VERB When the engine of a machine such as a car purrs , it is working and making a quiet, continuous, vibrating sound. □ [V prep] Both boats purred out of the cave mouth and into open water. [Also V ] ● N‑SING Purr is also a noun. □ [+ of ] Carmela heard the purr of a motor-cycle coming up the drive.
purse /pɜː r s/ (purses , pursing , pursed )
1 N‑COUNT A purse is a very small bag that people, especially women, keep their money in. [BRIT ] in AM, use change purse 2 N‑COUNT A purse is a small bag that women carry. [AM ] □ She reached in her purse for her phone. in BRIT, use bag , handbag 3 N‑SING Purse is used to refer to the total amount of money that a country, family, or group has. □ The money could simply go into the public purse, helping to lower taxes.
4 VERB If you purse your lips , you move them into a small, rounded shape, usually because you disapprove of something or when you are thinking. □ [V n] She pursed her lips in disapproval.
purs|er /pɜː r sə r / (pursers ) N‑COUNT On a ship, the purser is an officer who deals with the accounts and official papers. On a passenger ship, the purser is also responsible for the welfare of the passengers.
pu rse strings N‑PLURAL If you say that someone holds or controls the purse strings , you mean that they control the way that money is spent in a particular family, group, or country. □ Women control the purse strings of most families.
pur|su|ance /pə r sjuː əns, [AM ] -suː -/ N‑UNCOUNT [usu in N of n] If you do something in pursuance of a particular activity, you do it as part of carrying out that activity. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] He ordered disclosure of a medical report to the Metropolitan Police in pursuance of an investigation of murder.
pur|su|ant /pə r sjuː ənt, [AM ] -suː -/ PHRASE If someone does something pursuant to a law or regulation, they obey that law or regulation. [FORMAL ] □ He should continue to act pursuant to the United Nations Security Council resolutions.
pur|sue ◆◇◇ /pə r sjuː , -suː / (pursues , pursuing , pursued )
1 VERB If you pursue an activity, interest, or plan, you carry it out or follow it. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] He said his country would continue to pursue the policies laid down at the summit. □ [V n] She had come to England to pursue an acting career.
2 VERB If you pursue a particular aim or result, you make efforts to achieve it, often over a long period of time. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] Mr. Menendez has aggressively pursued new business.
3 VERB If you pursue a particular topic, you try to find out more about it by asking questions. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] If your original request is denied, don't be afraid to pursue the matter.
4 VERB If you pursue a person, vehicle, or animal, you follow them, usually in order to catch them. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] She pursued the man who had stolen a woman's bag. SYNONYMS pursue VERB
1
engage in: I have never engaged in the drug trade.
practise: Acupuncture was practised in China as long ago as the third millennium BC.
follow: Do you follow any particular religion?'—'Yes, we're all Hindus.'
4
follow: I think we're being followed.
chase: She chased the thief for 100 yards.
hunt: Detectives have been hunting him for seven months.
run after: Neighbouring shopkeepers ran after the man and caught him.
pur|su|er /pə r sjuː ə r , [AM ] -suː -/ (pursuers ) N‑COUNT [oft poss N in pl] Your pursuers are the people who are chasing or searching for you. [FORMAL ] □ They had shaken off their pursuers.
pur|suit /pə r sjuː t, [AM ] -suː t/ (pursuits )
1 N‑UNCOUNT Your pursuit of something is your attempts at achieving it. If you do something in pursuit of a particular result, you do it in order to achieve that result. □ [+ of ] …a young man whose relentless pursuit of excellence is conducted with determination.
2 N‑UNCOUNT The pursuit of an activity, interest, or plan consists of all the things that you do when you are carrying it out. □ [+ of ] The vigorous pursuit of policies is no guarantee of success.
3 N‑UNCOUNT [usu in N of n] Someone who is in pursuit of a person, vehicle, or animal is chasing them. □ …a police officer who drove a patrol car at more than 120mph in pursuit of a motor cycle.
4 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Your pursuits are your activities, usually activities that you enjoy when you are not working. □ They both love outdoor pursuits.
5 PHRASE If you are in hot pursuit of someone, you are chasing after them with great determination. □ I rushed through with Sue in hot pursuit.
pur|vey /pə r ve I / (purveys , purveying , purveyed )
1 VERB If you purvey something such as information, you tell it to people. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] …one who would, for a hefty fee, purvey strategic advice to private corporations.