handbag n 1: a container used for carrying money and small personal items or accessories (especially by women); "she reached into her bag and found a comb" [syn: {bag}, {handbag}, {pocketbook}, {purse}]
handbag \hand"bag`\ n. a small bag usually made of cloth, leather or a similar imitation material, and often having a strap to permit carrying it by slinging it over a shoulder, used by women to carry money and small personal items or accessories; as, she had to search under the cosmetics, hankies, and medicines in her handbag to find a comb. Syn: bag, pocketbook, purse. [WordNet 1.5]