purlieu

pur·lieu

noun \ˈpərl-(ˌ)yü, ˈpər-(ˌ)lü\

Definition of PURLIEU

1

a : an outlying or adjacent district b plural : environs, neighborhood

2

a : a frequently visited place : haunt b plural : confines, bounds

Examples of PURLIEU

1. <the restaurant, the preferred purlieu of the theatergoing crowd, is always packed an hour or two before showtime>
2. <we stopped at one of the several pubs in the purlieus of the stadium>

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

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to PURLIEU

Synonyms: haunt, hangout, rendezvous, resort, stamping ground, stomping ground

Related Words: camp, canteen, club, clubhouse, country club, key club, service club, union; harbor, harborage, haven, nest, refuge, retreat, sanctuary

Near Antonyms: core city, downtown, inner city, midtown

see all synonyms and antonyms

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