purlieus
Outlying neighboring districts
Purlieus are the outlying areas surrounding a place—its environs or outskirts.
The word often suggests familiar haunts or a neighborhood someone frequents: He knew every corner of the purlieus around the old market.
The singular purlieu exists but the plural dominates in modern usage.
The word is literary and somewhat old-fashioned.
Outer parts of town
- environsSurrounding districts or areas
- vicinityNearby surrounding area
- surroundingsArea around something
- hinterlandRemote area beyond settlements
borderland · exurbia · satellite · sprawl · backcountry · countryside · periphery · fringes
outskirts
Outer parts of town
- environsSurrounding districts or areas
- vicinityNearby surrounding area
- surroundingsArea around something
hinterland · borderland · exurbia · satellite · sprawl · backcountry · countryside · periphery · fringes · marches
hangout
Frequented gathering place
retreat · rendezvous · locale · spot · joint · refuge · sanctuary · habitat · abode · dwelling
limits
Imposed maximum points
edges · perimeter · margins · threshold · verge · brink · demarcation · frontier · borderline · circumference