English Explanatory Dictionary

handbag

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A small bag carried in the hand, used either when travelling or to carry tools for a specific job.
  2. A small bag used chiefly by women for carrying various small personal items, sometimes considered as a fashion accessory.
  3. Ellipsis of handbag house.
verb
  1. To attack verbally or subject to criticism (typically used of a woman).

Pronunciation

/ˈhændˌbæɡ/ /ˈhæm.bəɡ/ En-uk-handbag.ogg

Word forms

handbag handbags handbagging handbagged

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.

Synonyms

purse

Derived words

bachelor's handbag handbag clip handbagful handbagger handbaggy handbagless handbags at dawn hardbag I lost my handbag man-bag smell like a tart's handbag social handbag
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