Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

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.