county

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   (United Kingdom) a region created by territorial division for the purpose of local government

   the county has a population of 12,345 people

2. 2
   noun

   (United States) the largest administrative district within a state

   the county plans to build a new road

3. 3
   noun

   The land ruled by a count or a countess.

   The first of the principalities of the Low Countries to take clear shape was the county of Flanders.

4. 4
   noun

   An administrative or geographical region of various countries, including Bhutan, Canada, China, Croatia, Ireland, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Romania, South Korea, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and 47 of the 50 United States (excluding Alaska, Connecticut, and Louisiana).

   Entire states such as California, Illinois and New York are now sanctuaries, as well as major cities and counties such as Fairfax, Montgomery and Prince George’s counties and the District of Columbia in the capital region, according to the list. […] FAIR says the county is a sanctuary because it tells police not to ask about immigration status even during an arrest.

5. 5
   noun

   A definitive geographic region, without direct administrative functions.

   traditional county

6. 6
   noun

   A jail operated by a county government.

   He can't come; he's up in the county for agg assault.

7. 7
   adj

   Characteristic of a ‘county family’; representative of the gentry or aristocracy of a county.

   Now, in the district around Chipping Carby, the County Families are very County indeed, few more so.

Etymology

From Middle English countee, counte, conte, from Anglo-Norman counté, Old French conté (French comté), from Latin comitātus (“jurisdiction of a count”), from comes (“count, earl”). Cognate with Spanish condado (“county”) and Italian contea (“county”). Doublet of comitatus, borrowed directly from Latin. Mostly displaced native Old English sċīr, whence Modern English shire.