precinct

The definition of a precinct is a part of a district or town set aside for police or voting purposes.

(noun)

The part of a town that is under the control of one particular division of a police department is an example of a precinct.

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See precinct in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

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

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

See precinct in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
  1. a. A subdivision or district of a city or town under the jurisdiction of or patrolled by a specific unit of its police force.
    b. The police station situated in and having jurisdiction over such a district.
  2. An election district of a city or town.
  3. a. A place or enclosure marked off by definite limits, such as walls. Often used in the plural: the mysterious precincts of the old monastery.
    b. A boundary: Hunting is not allowed within the precincts of the estate.
  4. precincts The neighborhood or surrounding area; the environs.
  5. An area of thought or action; a province or domain. Often used in the plural: “It was in these spacious precincts that Dryden's imagination was most at home” (Mark Van Doren).

Origin:

Origin: Middle English precincte, a defined district or area

Origin: , from Medieval Latin praecīnctum

Origin: , from Latin

Origin: , neuter past participle of praecingere, to encircle

Origin: : prae-, pre-

Origin: + cingere, to gird; see kenk- in Indo-European roots

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