County
County (koun"ty) , noun
[French comté, from Late Latin comitatus. See Count.]
1.
An earldom; the domain of a count or earl. [Obsolete]
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.
3.
A count; an earl or lord. [Obsolete] — Shakespeare
Collocations (8)
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. [English] — 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. [English]
County seat , a county town [United States]
County sessions , the general quarter sessions of the peace for each county, held four times a year. [English]
County town , the town of a county, where the county business is transacted; a shire town.