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   pre·cinct

   /ˈprēˌsiNG(k)t/

   noun

   • 1. a district of a city or town as defined for police purposes. North American
   • ▪ the police station situated in a precinct: "at the precinct, a desk sergeant ran through her ID"
   • ▪ an electoral district of a city or town served by a single polling place: "with 35 percent of the precincts declaring, he had 51 percent of the vote"
   • 2. the area within the walls or perceived boundaries of a particular building or place: "all strata of society live within these precincts" Similar boundsboundarieslimitsconfinessurrounding areaenvironssurroundingspurlieussurroundsneighborhoodvicinitylocality
   • ▪ an enclosed or clearly defined area of ground around a cathedral, church, or college. Similar enclosureclosequadranglecourtcourtyardinformal:quad
   • 3. an area in a town designated for specific or restricted use, especially one that is closed to traffic: British "a pedestrian precinct" Similar areazonesectordistrictsectionquarterregion

   Word Origin late Middle English (denoting an administrative district): from medieval Latin praecinctum, neuter past participle (used as a noun) of praecingere ‘encircle’, from prae ‘before’ + cingere ‘gird’.

   Scrabble Points: 14

   • P

     3

   • R

     1

   • E

     1

   • C

     3

   • I

     1

   • N

     1

   • C

     3

   • T

     1

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