n. [ LL. bursa, or F. bourse. See Bourse, and cf. Bursch, Purse. ] 1. A purse; also, a vesicle; a pod; a hull. [ Obs. ] Holland. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A fund or foundation for the maintenance of needy scholars in their studies; also, the sum given to the beneficiaries. [ Scot. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Eccl.) An ornamental case of hold the corporal when not in use. Shipley. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. An exchange, for merchants and bankers, in the cities of continental Europe. Same as Bourse. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. A kind of bazaar. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

She says she went to the burse for patterns. Old Play. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. a natural family of resinous or aromatic chiefly tropical shrubs or trees.
Syn. -- family Burseraceae, torchwood family. [ WordNet 1.5 ]