■ noun
1》 (also high ~ ) (in England and Wales) the chief executive officer of the Crown in a county, having administrative and judicial functions.
↘an honorary officer elected annually in some English towns.
2》 (in Scotland) a judge.
3》 US an elected officer in a county, responsible for keeping the peace.
Derivatives
~dom noun
~hood noun
~ship noun
Origin
OE scīrgerēfa (see shire , reeve 1 ).