Unpursed

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Not drawn together or tightened, especially referring to lips or fabric that remains relaxed
2. Describing a state where something that could be gathered or puckered is left loose or spread out
3. Characterizing an appearance or condition in which there is no constriction or drawing inward

Etymology: "Unpursed" is a plain formation: the prefix "un-", meaning "not", attached to "pursed", the past participle of "purse" used as a verb. To purse is to draw something together or gather it into a tight shape, as when a person purses their lips or a drawstring cinches a bag closed. Adding "un-" reverses that state, so the word describes lips or fabric that have been left slack rather than drawn tight. The root "purse" comes from the noun meaning a small bag for money, which in turn traces back to Latin "bursa" for a bag or leather pouch. The verbal sense of drawing up or wrinkling, which gave rise to "pursed," developed from that noun's idea of a gathered, drawn-together bag, so the adjective keeps the picture of a bag's mouth closing or staying open.

Synonyms: relaxed, uncompressed, uncontracted

Antonyms: pursed, compressed, contracted, tightened