Purlieu Definition

pûrlyo͝o, pûrlo͝o
noun
An outlying part of a forest, exempted from forest laws and returned to private owners.
Webster's New World
A place that one visits often or habitually; haunt.
Webster's New World
An outlying part, as of a city.
Webster's New World
Bounds; limits.
Webster's New World
Environs.
Webster's New World

Other Word Forms of Purlieu

Noun

Singular:
purlieu
Plural:
purlieus, purlieux

Origin of Purlieu

  • Middle English purlewe piece of land on the edge of a forest probably alteration (influenced by Old French lieu place) of porale, purale royal perambulation from Old French porale from poraler to traverse por- forth (from Latin prō- pro–1) aler, aller to go alley1

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • From Anglo-Norman puralee, puralé et al.

    From Wiktionary

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