a. [ L. districtus, p. p. ] Rigorous; stringent; harsh. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Punishing with the rod of district severity. Foxe. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ LL. districtus district, fr. L. districtus, p. p. of distringere: cf. F. district. See Distrain. ] 1. (Feudal Law) The territory within which the lord has the power of coercing and punishing. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A division of territory; a defined portion of a state, town, or city, etc., made for administrative, electoral, or other purposes; as, a congressional district, judicial district, land district, school district, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

To exercise exclusive legislation . . . over such district not exceeding ten miles square. The Constitution of the United States. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Any portion of territory of undefined extent; a region; a country; a tract. [ 1913 Webster ]

These districts which between the tropics lie. Blackstone. [ 1913 Webster ]

Congressional district. See under Congressional. --
District attorney, the prosecuting officer of a district or district court. --
District court, a subordinate municipal, state, or United States tribunal, having jurisdiction in certain cases within a judicial district. --
District judge, one who presides over a district court. --
District school, a public school for the children within a school district. [ U.S. ]

Syn. -- Division; circuit; quarter; province; tract; region; country. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Districted; p. pr. & vb. n. Districting. ] To divide into districts or limited portions of territory; as, legislatures district States for the choice of representatives. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. districtio a stretching out. ] Sudden display; flash; glitter. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

A smile . . . breaks out with the brightest distriction. Collier. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. Strictly. [ Obs. ] Foxe. [ 1913 Webster ]