Pur·lieu n. [Written also pourlieu.]
1. 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. --Milton.
2. 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. --Macaulay.
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