n.1 S.Afr. a an urban area set aside for Black (usu. African) occupation. b a White urban area (esp. if new or about to be developed).
2 US & Can. a a division of a county with some corporate powers. b a district six miles square.
3 Brit. hist. a a community inhabiting a manor, parish, etc. b a manor or parish as a territorial division. c a small town or village forming part of a large parish.
4 Austral. & NZ a small town; a town-site.
Etymology: OE tunscipe (as TOWN, -SHIP)