precinct
/ˈpriːsɪŋkt/noun
1
- （一般作precincts）the area within the walls or perceived boundaries of a particular building or place场地, 院落; 周围区域：
a former MP who still works in the precincts of the House
一位仍在议院区域内工作的前议员
figurative 〈喻〉beyond the precincts of my own family I am quite inhibited.
在我自家以外的场合我相当拘谨。
1.1
- an enclosed or clearly defined area of ground around a cathedral, church, or college（教堂或学校等围墙内的或有明确界限的）周围, 区域。
2
- Brit.an area in a town designated for specific or restricted use, especially one which is closed to traffic〈英〉（城镇有特定用途, 尤指无车辆经过的）区域：
a pedestrian precinct.
一处步行区。
3
- N. Amer.a district of a city or town as defined for police purposes〈北美〉警察管辖区, 分管区。
3.1
- the police station situated in such a subdivision分管区警所。
3.2
- an electoral district of a city or town served by a single polling station（只设一个投票点的城镇）选民区。
词源
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'.