'Purlieu' definitions:

Definition of 'purlieu'

From: WordNet
noun
An outer adjacent area of any place [syn: environs, purlieu]

Definition of 'Purlieu'

From: GCIDE
  • Purlieu \Pur"lieu\, n. [Corrupted (by influence of lieu place) fr. OF. pural['e]e, poral['e]e (equiv. to LL. perambulatio a survey of boundaries, originally, a going through); por (L. pro, confused, however, with L. per through) + al['e]e. See Pro-, and Alley.] [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. [1913 Webster]
  • Then as a tiger, who by chance hath spied In some purlieu two gentle fawns at play. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. Hence, the outer portion of any place; an adjacent district; environs; neighborhood. "The purlieus of St. James." [1913 Webster]
  • brokers had been incessantly plying for custom in the purlieus of the court. --Macaulay. [1913 Webster] Purlin