/'pri:sɪŋkt; `prisɪŋkt/
n
1 [C] area enclosed by definite boundaries, esp the walls of a cathedral, church or college （有界限围成的）区域; （尤指）教堂或大学墙以内的境域
*a sacred precinct 教堂的地界范围
* these hallowed precincts 这些神圣的境域.
2 [C] (Brit) area in a town for specific or restricted use, esp one where vehicles may not enter 城镇中有某用途的或受限制的地区; （尤指禁止机动车通行的）行人专用区
*a shopping precinct 购物区
* a pedestrian precinct 行人专用区.
3 [C] (US) subdivision of a county, city, etc （县、市等的）分区
*an election precinct 选区
* a police precinct 警察分管区.
4 precincts [pl]
(a) boundaries; limits 界限; 范围
*No parking within the hospital precincts. 医院范围内禁止停放车辆.
(b) area around a place; environs 周围地区; 附近
*the old city and its precincts 旧城市及其郊区
* the airport and precincts 机场及周围地区.

n
[Date: 1400-1500; Language: Medieval Latin;Origin: praecinctum, from Latin praecingere 'to put a belt around']
[C]shopping/pedestrian precinct
BrE an area of a town where people can walk and shop, and where cars are not allowed
[C]AmE
one of the areas that a town or city is divided into, so that elections or police work can be organized more easily
[C]AmE
the main police station in a particular area of a town or city
precincts [plural]
the area that surrounds an important building
　the precincts of the cathedral