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purview


pur·view

noun \ˈpər-ˌvyü\

Definition of PURVIEW

1
a : the body or enacting part of a statute b : the limit, purpose, or scope of a statute
2
: the range or limit of authority, competence, responsibility, concern, or intention
3
: range of vision, understanding, or cognizance

Examples of PURVIEW

  1. The case is within the court's purview.
  2. That question is outside my purview.
  3. The moral dilemmas of the early settlers are beyond the purview of this book.
  4. After the true shock and awe of a campaign of massive surplus, as in the Gulf War, no regime would have risked its survival by failing to go after the terrorists within its purview. —Mark Helprin, Wall Street Journal, 17 May 2004

Origin of PURVIEW

Middle English purveu, from Anglo-French purveu est it is provided (opening phrase of a statute)
First Known Use: 15th century

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