/owt"skerrt'/ , n.
1. Often, outskirts . the outlying district or region, as of a city, metropolitan area, or the like: to live on the outskirts of town; a sparsely populated outskirt.
2. Usually, outskirts . the border or fringes of a specified quality, condition, or the like: the outskirts of respectability.
[ 1590-1600; OUT- + SKIRT ]