Sounds like the pearl you got from the borderland (7)

I believe the answer is:

purlieu

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'borderland' is the definition.
Both the answer and definition are singular nouns.
Perhaps you can see an association between them that I don't see?

I can't explain the rest of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for purlieu that I've seen before include "Outlying or neighbouring area" , "Border" , "Frequently-visited place" , "Environs" , "One's limits or usual haunts" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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