Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Pais \Pa`is\, n. [OF. pu["i]s, F. pays, country.] (O. E. Law)
   The country; the people of the neighborhood.

   Note: A trial per pais is a trial by the country, that is, by
         a jury; and matter in pais is matter triable by the
         country, or jury.