GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

Found one definition

1.       
   Purview , n. [OF. purveu, pourveu, F. pourvu, provided, p. p. of OF. porveoir, F. pourvoir. See Purvey, View, and cf. Proviso.]
   (a) (Law) The body of a statute, or that part which begins with “ Be it enacted, ” as distinguished from the preamble. Cowell. (b) Hence: The limit or scope of a statute; the whole extent of its intention or provisions.
   Marshall.
   
   1913 Webster
   Profanations within the purview of several statutes.
   Bacon.
   
   1913 Webster
   Limit or sphere of authority; scope; extent.
   1913 Webster
   In determining the extent of information required in the exercise of a particular authority, recourse must be had to the objects within the purview of that authority.
   Madison.
   
   1913 Webster