cutpurse
2 synonyms for cutpurse, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — (old-fashioned) A thief who steals purses or takes things from people's pockets in public places.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Etymology
From Middle English cutte-purs; equivalent to cut + purse: originally, purses were worn by a strap at the girdle, which the thief would cut.
Full origin of cutpurse →