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Definition of: purlieu
(pûr′l
) noun
1. plural The outlying districts or outskirts of any place.
2. A place in which one is free to come and go; a haunt.
3. Formerly, ground unlawfully taken for a royal forest, but afterward disafforested and restored to its rightful owners. [<AF puralee <OF <puraler go through <pur- through <L per-) + aler go; infl. in form by MF lieu a place]
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