I. ˈkau̇n-tē noun
( plural counties )
Etymology: Middle English counte, from Anglo-French cunté, counté, from Medieval Latin comitatus, from Late Latin, office of a count, from comit-, comes count — more at count
Date: 14th century
1. : the domain of a count
2.
a. : one of the territorial divisions of England and Wales and formerly also of Scotland and Northern Ireland constituting the chief units for administrative, judicial, and political purposes
b.
(1) : the people of a county
(2) British : the gentry of a county
3. : the largest territorial division for local government within a state of the United States
4. : the largest local administrative unit in various countries
• county adjective
II. noun
( plural counties )
Etymology: modification of Middle French comte
Date: 1550
archaic : count III