Webster's English Dictionary

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precinct

pre.cinct \'pre--.sin(k)t\ n [ME, fr. ML praecinctum, fr. L, neut. of 
   praecinctus, pp. of pra]ecingere to gird about, fr. prae- pre- + cingere to 
   gird - more at CINCTURE 1: a part of a territory with definite bounds or 
   functions often establishe d for administrative purposes : DISTRICT : as 
   1a: a subdivision of a county, town, city or ward for election purposes  
   1b: a division of a city for police control  often pl  2: the enclosure 
   bounded by the walls or limits of a building or place  pl  3: the region 
   immediately surrounding a place : ENVIRONS  4: BOUNDARY