wallet

From Middle English walet (“bag, knapsack”), of uncertain origin. Possibly from an assumed Old Northern French *walet (“roll; bag; knapsack”), from Proto-Germanic *wal- (“to roll”). More at walk, well, wallow.

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈwɒlɪt/
• Rhymes: -ɒlɪt

wallet (plural wallets)

1. A small case, often flat and often made of leather, for keeping money (especially paper money), credit cards, etc.

   The thief stole all the money and credit cards out of the old man's wallet.

2. (by extension, informal) A person's bank account or assets.

   It's unknown if the pro running back's recent sex scandal will hit him in the wallet or not.

3. A thick case or folder with plastic sleeves in which compact discs may be stored.

   I won an auction online for a cheap CD wallet.

4. (archaic) A bag or pouch.

   He brought with him a large wallet with some provisions for the road.

5. (slang) A person's buttocks (the area of the body nearest where one keeps one's wallet).

   He fell down and landed on his wallet.

• billfold
• pocketbook

• purse
• scrip

• Atwell, all wet

wallet

1. Second-person plural subjunctive I of wallen.