\Coun"ty\ (koun"t?), n.; pl. {Counties} (-t?z). [F.
comt?, fr. LL. comitatus. See {Count}.]
1. An earldom; the domain of a count or earl. [Obs.]
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}.
         Every county, every town, every family, was in
         agitation.                            --Macaulay.
3. A count; an earl or lord. [Obs.] --Shak.
{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.