Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
County
1.
An earldom; the domain of a count or earl.
[Obs.]
2.
A circuit or particular portion of a state or kingdom, separated from the rest of the territory, for certain purposes in the administration of justice and public affairs; – called also a
shire
. See Shire
. Every
county
, every town, every family, was in agitation. Macaulay.
3.
A count; an earl or lord.
[Obs.]
Shak.
County commissioners
. See
– Commissioner
. County corporate
, a city or town having the privilege to be a county by itself, and to be governed by its own sheriffs and other magistrates, irrespective of the officers of the county in which it is situated; as London, York, Bristol, etc.
[Eng.]
Mozley & W.
– County court
, a court whose jurisdiction is limited to county.
– County palatine
, a county distinguished by particular privileges; – so called a palatio (from the palace), because the owner had originally royal powers, or the same powers, in the administration of justice, as the king had in his palace; but these powers are now abridged. The counties palatine, in England, are Lancaster, Chester, and Durham.
– County rates
, rates levied upon the county, and collected by the boards of guardians, for the purpose of defraying the expenses to which counties are liable, such as repairing bridges, jails, etc.
[Eng.]
– County seat
, a county town
. [U.S.]
– County sessions
, the general quarter sessions of the peace for each county, held four times a year.
[Eng.]
– County town
, the town of a county, where the county business is transacted; a shire town.
Coup de grace
(koōˊ de grȧs′)
[F.]
, the stroke of mercy with which an executioner ends by death the sufferings of the condemned; hence, a decisive, finishing stroke.
– Coup de main
(koōˊ de măN′)
[F.]
(Mil.)
, a sudden and unexpected movement or attack.
– Coup de soleil
(kōˊ de sō̍-lā̍l or -lā̍′y’)
[F.]
(Med.)
, a sunstroke. See
– Sunstroke
. Coup d’état
(koō′ dā̍-tä′)
[F.]
(Politics)
, a sudden, decisive exercise of power whereby the existing government is subverted without the consent of the people; an unexpected measure of state, more or less violent; a stroke of policy.
– Coup d'œil
(koōˊ dẽl′)
. [F.]
(a)
A single view; a rapid glance of the eye; a comprehensive view of a scene; as much as can be seen at one view.
(b)
The general effect of a picture.
(c)
(Mil.)
The faculty or the act of comprehending at a glance the weakness or strength of a military position, of a certain arrangement of troops, the most advantageous position for a battlefield, etc.
Webster 1828 Edition
County
COUNTY
,Noun.
1.
Originally, an earldom; the district or territory of a count or earl. Now, a circuit or particular portion of a state or kingdom, separated from the rest of the territory, for certain purposes in the administration of justice. It is called also a shire. [See Shire.] Each county has its sheriff and its court, with other officers employed in the administration of justice and the execution of the laws. In England there are fifty two counties, and in each is a Lord Lieutenant, who has command of the militia. The several states of America are divided by law into counties, in each of which is a county court of inferior jurisdiction; and in each, the supreme court of the state holds stated sessions.2.
A count; an earl or lord.County court, the court whose jurisdiction is limited to a county, whose powers, in America, depend on statutes. In England, it is incident to the jurisdiction of the sheriff.
County palatine, in England, is a county distinguished by particular privileges; so called a palatio, the palace, because the owner had originally royal powers, or the same powers in the administration of justice, as the king had in his palace; but their powers are not abridged. The counties palatine, in England, are Lancaster, Chester and Durham.
County corporate, is a county invested with particular privileges by charter or royal grant; as London, York, Bristol, &c.
COUNTY
,Adj.
Definition 2024
County
County
county
county
See also: County
English
Noun
county (plural counties)
- (historical) The land ruled by a count or a countess.
- An administrative region of various countries, including Bhutan, Canada, China, Croatia, France, Ireland, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Serbia and Montenegro and Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States.
- A definitive geographic region, without direct administrative functions.
Usage notes
- In American usage, counties are almost always designated as such, with the word "County" capitalized and following the name — e.g., "Lewis County", rarely "Lewis", and never "County Lewis".
- In British usage, counties are referenced without designation — e.g. "Kent" and never "Kent County". The exception is Durham, which is often "County Durham" (but never "Durham County"). An organisation such as Kent County Council is the "County Council" of "Kent" and not the "Council" of "Kent County".
- In Irish usage, counties are frequently referenced, but like Durham precede the name — e.g., "County Cork" or "Cork" and never "Cork County."
- In Canadian usage, counties are typically designated as such, with the word "County" capitalized and usually preceding the name — e.g., "the County of Two Hills". Occasionally, "County" follows the name, as in "Sturgeon County".
Derived terms
Derived terms
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Translations
land ruled by a count or countess
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administrative region of various countries
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Adjective
county (comparative more county, superlative most county)
- Characteristic of a ‘county family’; representative of the gentry or aristocracy of a county.
- 1979, John Le Carré, Smiley's People, Folio Society 2010, p. 274:
- She was a tall girl and county, with Hilary's walk: she seemed to topple even when she sat.
- 1979, John Le Carré, Smiley's People, Folio Society 2010, p. 274: