I. ˈkən.trē, -ri noun
( -es )
Etymology: Middle English cuntree, contree, from Old French contrée, from Medieval Latin contrata landscape, country, literally, that which is situated opposite the beholder, from Latin contra against, on the opposite side + -ata (feminine of -atus -ate) — more at counter
1.
a. : an expanse of land of undefined but usually considerable extent : region , district
the North country
b. : a district or area marked by some distinguishing feature
hill country
Indian country
tobacco country
bad country for walking
c. : land
much country sown to grass
2.
a. : the land of a person's origin, birth, residence, or citizenship : motherland or home region
in my own country
b. : a political state or nation : the territory of a usually independent nation that is distinct as to name and the characteristics or attributes of its people
the country of Mexico
c. : area of interest or affiliation : sphere
the borderline country between aesthetics and psychology — Kathleen Raine
3.
a. : the people of a state or district : populace , citizenry
the Hunt Fête … drew the entire country — Elizabeth Bowen
b. : the jury by which a defendant is tried — used especially in legal phrases
the litigant puts himself upon his country
tried by God and his country
c. : the electorate regarded as the authority to which political controversy may be appealed
the government will go to the country with this issue
4. : rural regions as distinguished from city, town, or other thickly inhabited and built-up areas
walk out in the country
5.
a. : a region of the ocean
b. : the part of a ship especially in the United States Navy near officers' cabins
wardroom country
admiral's country
6. cricket : outfield
7. or country rock : the rock in which a mineral deposit or intrusion is enclosed
•
- across country
II. adjective
Etymology: Middle English cuntree, contree, from cuntree, contree, n.
1.
a. obsolete : of one's own country : native
b. India : of or belonging to India or an adjacent land
three European ships and a country ship
2.
a. : living, located, or operating in the country : of, belonging, or appropriate to rural regions : suitable to or suggestive of the country rather than the city
a country school
one big rawboned country preacher — Eudora Welty
expensive and decorative country clothes — Susan Ertz
b. : prepared, processed, or preserved with farmhouse supplies and procedures rather than those employed in industrial plants
country butter
country sugar
country ham
III. noun
: country music
IV. adjective
1. : of, relating to, suitable for, or featuring country music
a country singer
country fiddling
country radio stations
2. : of or relating to a decorative style associated with life in the country ; also : possessing a style of rustic simplicity