County \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.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)