What does reticule mean?
A reticule is a small purse or bag, particularly one made from fabric, leather, or netting and closed by pulling on a cord. It was commonly used during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries to carry coins, keys, letters, and other small personal objects, and it is often associated with the traditional dress of women in those periods. The word is now uncommon in everyday English but remains recognizable in historical novels, costume descriptions, and discussions of vintage accessories. Its modern appearance has the advantage of suggesting an object intended for carrying a few small but valued possessions. Although it resembles a handbag in function, the usual image is of a compact, soft-sided drawstring purse rather than a structured bag with a handle. The term's historical associations give it a refined and slightly nostalgic quality in contemporary writing.
nounA small bag or purse, especially one made of netting or fabric and drawn closed with cords. In modern usage, the term is chiefly historical or literary.
- A small purse or bag, especially a drawstring bag made from fabric, leather, or netting.
"She carried her letters and a pair of gloves in a small silk reticule."
"She opened her reticule and searched for the house key."
"The novel's protagonist keeps a letter and a dried flower in her reticule."
The plural is used when referring to multiple small purses or handbags.
"Several embroidered reticules hung from hooks near the doorway."
Before handbags became standard, a reticule was the essential small companion for carrying coins, keys, and letters.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does reticule come from?
Reticule entered English from French réticule, a diminutive of Latin reticulum, meaning 'little net.' The Latin word referred to a network of intersecting lines and is also the source of reticulate, reticulated, and reticulation. In English, the word was applied to a small drawstring purse, possibly because such bags were commonly made from netting.
Related word forms
How reticule is actually used
The word is now chiefly historical or literary. In earlier English, it could refer to a small purse or a drawstring bag used to carry personal belongings. In later scientific usage, the related term has also been applied to netlike structures, but 'reticule' itself is not normally used for these.