PURLIEU • E-FREE TRANSLATION.COM • Definition of Purlieu

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noun

Purlieu n. (Written also pourlieu)

Originally, the ground near a royal forest, which, having been unlawfully added to the forest, was afterwards severed from it, and disafforested so as to remit to the former owners their rights. "Then as a tiger, who by chance hath spied In some purlieu two gentle fawns at play."

Hence, the outer portion of any place; an adjacent district; environs; neighborhood. "The purlieus of St. James." "brokers had been incessantly plying for custom in the purlieus of the court."

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Etymology of 'Purlieu'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Purlieu" Quotes from Famous Books

... he would reproach himself for ever after if he refused. So they set off. On the way the curious irresolution and sudden determination of the sacristan recurred to Dennistoun, and he wondered in a shamefaced way whether he was being decoyed into some purlieu to be made away with as a supposed rich Englishman. He contrived, therefore, to begin talking with his guide, and to drag in, in a rather clumsy fashion, the fact that he expected two friends to join him early the next morning. To his surprise, ...

— Ghost Stories of an Antiquary • Montague Rhodes James

Words linked to "Purlieu" : geographic area, geographical area, environs