n. pl. coun·ties 1. The largest administrative division of most states in the United States. 2. a. A territorial division exercising administrative, judicial, and political functions in Great Britain and Ireland. b. The territory under the jurisdiction of a count or earl. 3. The people living in a county. [Middle English counte, territorial division, from Old French conte, the territory of a count, from Medieval Latin comitātus, from Late Latin, the office of count, from Latin, retinue, from comes, comit-, companion; see ei- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] county adj. |
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