Precinct Meaning
/ˈpɹisɪŋkt/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounAn enclosed space having defined limits, normally marked by walls.
nounThe general area surrounding a place, environs.
Sentence Examples
During a sprint through the pedestrian precinct, I collided with a man eating a currywurst.
See you back at the precinct.
Ziri was brought to the precinct for interrogation.
CEFR Practice Quiz
Voters in this ____ must go to the local school to cast their ballots.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The police ____ received dozens of calls about the disturbance in the neighborhood overnight.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English precinct, precincte, early 15th century, in sense of “district for government purposes”, from Medieval Latin precinctum, alternative form of praecinctum (“enclosure, boundary line”), neuter singular of praecinctus, perfect passive participle of Latin praecingō (“surround, gird”), from prae (“before”) + cingō (“surround, encircle”), from which also cinch. Cognate to Italian precingere (“to encircle”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"For, by the fundamental Laws of the Realm, it is Capital in any Perſon, of what Quality ſoever, to make water within the Precincts of the Palace."
— 1726 October 28, [Jonathan Swift], “The Author by an Extraordinary Stratagem Prevents an Invasion. […]”, in Travels into Several Remote Nations of the World. […] [Gulliver’s Travels], volume I, London: […] Benj[amin] Motte, […], →OCLC, part I (A Voyage to Lilliput), page 91:
"But ſince I loue to liue at libertie,
As eaſily may you get the Souldans crowne,
As any prizes out of my precinct."
— c. 1587–1588 (date written), [Christopher Marlowe], Tamburlaine the Great. […] The First Part […], 2nd edition, part 1, London: […] [R. Robinson for] Richard Iones, […], published 1592, →OCLC; reprinted as Tamburlaine the Great (A Scolar Press Facsimile), Menston, Yorkshire; London: Scolar Press, 1973, →ISBN, Act I, scene ii:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
Voters in this ____ must go to the local school to cast their ballots.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The police ____ received dozens of calls about the disturbance in the neighborhood overnight.