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Webster 1913 Edition


Precinct

Pre′cinct

(?; 277)
,
Noun.
[LL.
praecinctum
, fr. L.
praecingere
,
praecinctum
, to gird about, to encompass;
prae
before +
cingere
to gird, surround. See
Pre-
, and
Cincture
.]
1.
The limit or exterior line encompassing a place; a boundary; a confine; limit of jurisdiction or authority; – often in the plural;
as, the
precincts
of a state
.
“The precincts of light.”
Milton.
2.
A district within certain boundaries; a minor territorial or jurisdictional division;
as, an election
precinct
; a school
precinct
.
3.
A parish or prescribed territory attached to a church, and taxed for its support.
[U.S.]
The parish, or
precinct
, shall proceed to a new choice.
Laws of Massachusetts.

Webster 1828 Edition


Precinct

PRE'CINCT

,
Noun.
[L. proecinctus, proecingo, to cencompass; proe and cingo, to surround or gird.]
1.
The limit, bound or exterior line encompassing a place; as the precincts of light.
2.
Bounds of jurisdiction, or the whole territory comprehended within the limits of authority.
Take the body of A B, if to be found within your precincts.
3.
A territorial district or division.
It is to be observed that this word is generally used in the plural, except in the third sense.
In case of non-acceptance [of the collector] the parish or precinct shall proceed to a new choice.