Emily Dickinson Lexicon

COUN'TRY, n. [kun'try; The correct orthography would be contry, Fr. contrée, It. contrada, contracted from L. conterra, con and terra, land adjacent to a city. Hence, the citizens say, Let us go into the country. The Latin has conterraneus, a countryman.]

1. Properly, the land lying about or near a city; the territory situated in the vicinity of a city. Our friend has a seat in the country, a few miles from town. See Mark v. Luke viii. Hence,
2. The whole territory of a kingdom or state, as opposed to city. We say, The gentleman has a seat in the country, at any distance from town indefinitely. Hence,
3. Any tract of land, or inhabited land; any region, as distinguished from other regions; a kingdom, state, or lesser district. We speak of all the countries of Europe or Asia. And they came into the country of Moab. – Ruth i.
4. The kingdom, state, or territory in which one is born; the land of nativity; or the particular district indefinitely in which one is born. America is my country, or Connecticut is my country. Laban said, It must not be so done in our country. Gen – xxix.
5. The region in which one resides. He sojourned in the land of promise, as in a foreign country. – Heb. xi.
6. Land, as opposed to water; or inhabited territory. The shipmen deemed that they drew near to some country. – Acts xxvii.
7. The inhabitants of a region. All the country wept with a loud voice. – 2 Sam. xv.
8. A place of residence; a region of permanent habitation. They declare plainly that they seek a country. – Heb. xi. They desire a better country, a heavenly. – Heb. xi.
9. In law, a jury or jurors; as, trial by the country, per pais.