Precinct
/ˈpriː.sɪŋkt/noun
A defined area or district, especially one designated for administrative, electoral, or policing purposes.
Did you know?In English, precinct first referred to an enclosed area around a church or monastery, preserving the ancient idea of sacred space separated from the outside world.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*keng-
“To tighten, bind, or encircle”
Ancient Latin
Latin
cingere
“To gird, surround, or encircle”
Classical Latin
Latin
praecingere
“To gird around or enclose in front”
Classical Latin
Latin
praecinctus
“Girded around; an enclosed boundary or area”
12th–13th Century
Anglo-Norman French
precinct
“An enclosed area, especially land surrounding a church or monastery”
15th Century
English
precinct
“A defined boundary or district”
Modern English
English
precinct
“An administrative, electoral, or policing district”