noun

1. 1. an enclosure between buildings, walls, etc.
   2. Brit. the grounds immediately surrounding a religious house or church
2. environs; a neighborhood
3. ☆
   1. a division of a city, as for police administration
   2. a subdivision of a ward, as for voting purposes
4. Brit. an area in a town closed to motor traffic, as for shopping
5. any limited area, as of thought
6. a boundary

Etymology: ME precincte < ML praecinctum < L praecinctus, pp. of praecingere, to encompass < prae-, before (see pre-) + cingere, to surround, gird (see cinch)