purlieu
- noun
- /ˈpɜrljuː/
- Archaic
- Many small businesses have opened in the purlieu of the city center, attracting more visitors.
Examples
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The fox disappeared into the purlieu beyond the riverbank, leaving the hunters behind.
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They often strolled through the purlieu of the city, enjoying the quiet streets away from the center.
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Many rare birds inhabit the purlieu of the ancient woodland.
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The purlieu of the city is known for its beautiful parks.
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Many families live in the purlieu of the downtown area.
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The park is a popular purlieu for residents looking to relax on weekends.
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The hikers explored the beautiful purlieu surrounding the lake, enjoying the scenic views.
Synonyms
The area near a place, for example shops or houses
An area at the edge of a town or city far from the centre
An area near a place where people live or work
A neighborhood outside the old part of a city, often in New Orleans
An area outside a French city where many people live, often poorer and with many social problems
Areas near a place that people often visit
The area near a particular place, like local streets and shops
The area around a town or city
How Close
- US
- US
- Archaic
Surface Forms
Etymology
Purlieu comes from old French and contains lieu, which means 'place', and it was used for land just outside a manor or forest boundary. So a purlieu today is the area that lies near or around a place, like the outskirts.