purview
- 01 C1 Advanced
the area or range of things that a person or organization has the power to deal with.
the scope or range of authority, control, or responsibility. Often used in administrative or legal contexts to define boundaries of power.
Simple“The new safety rules fall within the purview of the local government.”
In context“The committee argued that the environmental impact study fell outside their purview, as their mandate was strictly limited to financial oversight.”
UsageUsually follows 'within' or 'outside' to describe the limits of authority.
Teacher's tipThis is a high-level academic and legal term; students should use 'responsibility' or 'area' in everyday conversation.
Synonyms - 02 C2 Proficiency
the limit of what someone knows or is able to understand.
the range of vision, outlook, or comprehension. Refers to the intellectual boundaries of a person's knowledge.
Simple“Quantum physics is a subject that is well beyond my purview.”
In context“The philosopher argued that certain metaphysical questions lie forever beyond the purview of human reason.”
UsageFrequently used with the preposition 'beyond'.
Teacher's tipIn this sense, the word is quite rare and literary; it suggests a boundary of human or individual capability.
Synonyms
“We give the social media company the opportunity, obviously, to appear before the Oireachtas but, critically, they have in their purview, in their power, to take down these videos.”
“According to this vision, knowledge was no longer the purview of the church and noble families.”
From Middle English purveu (“proviso”), from Anglo-Norman purveu est (“it is provided”), or purveu que (“provided that”) (statutory language), from Old French porveü (“provided”), past participle of porveoir (“to provide”), from Latin prōvideō (see provide). Influenced by view and its etymological antecedents.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.