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Glite Dictionary
sea-purse

sea-purse

9.9
A strong current that pulls water and swimmers away from the shore after waves break
  • noun
  • Archaic
translation icon : corriente de retorno
  • The sea-purse pulled me back into the water.

Examples

  • Swimmers should be cautious of the sea-purse, as it can pull them away from the shore.

  • The sea-purse was especially strong after the storm, making it dangerous to enter the water.

  • Lifeguards often warn about the risks associated with the sea-purse at this beach.

  • Watch out for the sea-purse when you swim near the shore.

  • Lifeguards often warn about the dangers of the sea-purse at this beach.

  • Swimmers should be aware of the sea-purse, which can pull them out to deeper water.

  • After the waves broke, the sea-purse was strong enough to drag objects back into the ocean.

Synonyms

undertow
vssea-purse
4 7.4

A strong water current under the surface that pulls you out to sea

refers specifically to the shore return current formed after waves break
sea-poose
vssea-purse
  • Archaic
9.9

A strong flow of water that pulls away from the shore after waves break

is the same concept but is the established defined form
sea purse
vssea-purse
  • UK
9.8

A strong flow that pulls swimmers away from the shore after waves break

is the same current but without stressing strength
sea puss
vssea-purse
  • UK
9.9

A strong current that pulls swimmers away from the shore after waves break

is the steady seaward return current rather than occasional strong pulls
sea-puss
vssea-purse
  • Archaic
9.9

A strong current that pulls swimmers away from a beach after waves break

is the general seaward return current without emphasizing danger

How Strong

rip current
2 6.0
sea-purse
  • Archaic
9.9
undertow
4 7.4

Surface Forms

sea-purse singular
sea-purses plural

Morphology

sea-purse = sea + purse (semi-transparent) = sea + purse

The components 'sea' and 'purse' are recognizable, but the specialized sense 'seaward undercurrent' is a metaphorical extension of 'purse' and not directly predictable for all learners.

Etymology

Sea-purse comes from the simple words sea and purse, where purse means 'bag'. Picture a 'bag' of water that pulls things away from the shore after waves break, and you can see why a sea-purse is the strong flow that pulls water and swimmers back toward the sea.