precinct Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a district of a city or town marked out for administrative purposes

WordNet

Pre"cinct noun
Etymology
LL. praecinctum, fr. L. praecingere, praecinctum, to gird about, to encompass; prae before + cingere to gird, surround. See Pre-, and Cincture.
Definitions
  1. The limit or exterior line encompassing a place; a boundary; a confine; limit of jurisdiction or authority; -- often in the plural; as, the precincts of a state. "The precincts of light." Milton.
  2. A district within certain boundaries; a minor territorial or jurisdictional division; as, an election precinct; a school precinct.
  3. A parish or prescribed territory attached to a church, and taxed for its support. U.S.
    The parish, or precinct, shall proceed to a new choice. Laws of Massachusetts.

Webster 1913