U

environs

plural noun

the surrounding parts or districts, as of a city; outskirts; suburbs.
surrounding objects; surroundings; environment.
an area or space close by; vicinity.

verb (used with object)

to form a circle or ring round; surround; envelop: a house environed by pleasant grounds; to be environed by bad influences.

pl n

a surrounding area or region, esp the suburbs or outskirts of a town or city; vicinity

verb

(tr) to encircle or surround

“outskirts,” 1660s, from French environs, plural of Old French environ “compass, circuit,” from environ (adv.) “around, round about” (see environ).

late 14c. (implied in environing), “to surround,” from Old French environer “to surround, enclose, encircle,” from environ “round about,” from en- “in” (see en- (1)) + viron “circle, circuit,” from virer “to turn” (see veer). Related: Environed.