County \Coun"ty\ (koun"t[y^]), n.; pl. Counties (-t[i^]z). [F.
   comt['e], fr. LL. comitatus. See Count.]
   1. An earldom; the domain of a count or earl. [Obs.]
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   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.
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            Every county, every town, every family, was in
            agitation.                            --Macaulay.
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   3. A count; an earl or lord. [Obs.] --Shak.
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   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.
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