precinct

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   in the United States, a local administrative district used for elections or policing

   Volunteers visited every household in the precinct before election day.

2. 2
   noun

   the enclosed or clearly defined area surrounding a building or place, especially in the plural precincts

   Only accredited staff could enter the inner precincts of the parliament building.

3. 3
   noun

   in the United Kingdom, an urban area reserved mainly for pedestrians and a particular purpose such as shopping

   The council converted the central shopping precinct into a traffic-free public space.

From Middle English precinct, 'administrative district,' from Medieval Latin praecinctum, 'enclosure or boundary,' the neuter of Latin praecinctus. That form comes from praecingere, 'to gird or surround,' built from prae-, 'before,' and cingere, 'to encircle.'

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