shire

County Coun"ty (koun"t[y^]), n.; pl. {Counties} (-t[i^]z). [F. comt['e], fr. LL. comitatus. See {Count}.] 1. An earldom; the domain of a count or earl. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]

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}. [1913 Webster]

Every county, every town, every family, was in agitation. --Macaulay. [1913 Webster]

3. A count; an earl or lord. [Obs.] --Shak. [1913 Webster]

{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. [1913 Webster]