Punishing with the rod of district severity.
Foxe.
Dis"trict, 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.
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.
To exercise exclusive legislation . . . over such district not exceeding ten miles square.
The Constitution of the United States.