Middle English Dictionary Entry
prēcinct(e n.
Entry Info
| Forms | prēcinct(e n. Also preseincte, preseint, prasaint. |
| Etymology | ML prēcinctus |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. procinct(e n. & purseint n.
1.
A specific, defined district or area; esp. a city or town or part of one; a jurisdiction; the area under the jurisdiction of a university.
Associated quotations
- c1425(c1400) Ld.Troy (LdMisc 595)12980 : When he was comen to that prasaynt, Ther Troyl [read: Troye] & Grece to-gedur ware, Many a man to grounde he bare.
- (1447) Oath Bk.Colchester185 : Kyng Herry the Sixte..hath graunted unto us, burgeys of Colchestre..that tho iiij men and Bailiffs..be justices of the pees in the said toun, liberte, suburb, precincte, of the same.
- (c1458) Let.Oxf.in OHS 36344 : It is a cordyde..þat þese, and no noþer, enjouye þe privyleges of þe Universyte..the Chawnslere, al doctors, mastres, and oþer graduatis, al studientz, al scolars, and al clerkis dwellyng wythin the precinct of þe Universyte.
- c1460 Oseney Reg.50/4 : It is declarid..þat þabbot and Couent lette not þe saide tenauntes and receyuauntes that been or shall be with-in þe precyncte above-sayde to be contributours.
- (c1463) GRed Bk.Bristolpt.2.p.65 : Ȝiff eany maner persone be arrested with yn the Towne of Bristowe precynct or the lybertee of the same.
- ?a1475 Legal Gloss.Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)97 : Wapentake and hundrede be the same as the precincte [Trev.: contray; L procinctus] of an c townes, whiche were wonte to yelde there weppens in the firste commenge of theire lorde.
- a1500(a1461) Let.Curteys in RS 96.3 (Add 7096)241 : A grete waste ground..is conteyned within the preseyncte and boundes of the toune of Heryngeswell..as be metes and doolys of olde tyme put and made pleynly.
- a1525(?1464) Cov.Leet Bk.327 : The seyd Manoyr of Cheylesmore & parke þerof was within the preseynt of the liberte of the seyd Cite.