First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
purlieu
noun pur·lieu \ˈpərl-(ˌ)yü, ˈpər-(ˌ)lü\
: the area surrounding a place
Full Definition of PURLIEU
1
a : an outlying or adjacent district b plural : environs, neighborhood
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Origin of PURLIEU
Middle English purlewe land severed from an English royal forest by perambulation, from Anglo-French puralé perambulation, from puraler to travel through, measure, from pur- thoroughly + aler to go — more at purchase
Related to PURLIEU
- Synonyms
- haunt, hangout, rendezvous, resort, stamping ground, stomping ground
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