Dictionary.net

a region created by territorial division for the purpose of local government; "the county has a population of 12,345 people"

the largest administrative district within a state; "the county plans to build a new road"

a region created by territorial division for the purpose of local government; "the county has a population of 12,345 people"

(United States) the largest administrative district within a state; "the county plans to build a new road"

An earldom; the domain of a count or earl.

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.

A count; an earl or lord.

The science dealing with the earth and its life, especially the description of land, sea, and air and the distribution of plant and animal life, including humanity and human industries with reference to the mutual relations of these elements. (From Webster, 3d ed)

(orig.) The province ruled by a count: a division of a State in U.S. with a chief city, called the county seat: a shire.

A civil division, as of a state; also its inhabitants.

Formerly the district ruled by a count or earl; now a district of country separated from the rest for certain administrative purposes; a shire.

Originally an earldom or district under a count; a particular division or district of a state or kingdom; a shire.

n. [French] [Latin] The lands of a Count or Earl; a shire; —one of the large districts or territorial divisions of the kingdom, having its Lord-lieutenant, Sheriffs, Justices, and Constabulary force, assessing itself for public and parochial burdens, and electing its representatives to Parliament.

A shire; that is, a circuit or portion of the realm, into which the whole land is divided; a count, a lord. Obsolete in this last sense