Emily Dickinson Lexicon

COUN'TY, n. [Fr. comté; Sp. condado; It. contéa; L. comitatus. See Count.]

1. Originally, an earldom; the district or territory of count or earl. Now, 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. It is called also a shire. [See Shire.] Each county has its sherif and its court, with other officers employed in the administration of justice, and the execution of the laws. In England there are fifty-two counties, and in each is a Lord Lieutenant, who has command of the militia. The several states of America are divided by law into counties, in each of which is a county court of inferior jurisdiction; and in each the supreme court of the state holds stated sessions.
2. A count; an earl or lord. [Obs.] – Shak. County-court, the court whose jurisdiction is limited to a county, whose powers, in America, depend on statutes. In England, it is incident to the jurisdiction of the sherif. County palatine, in England, is a county distinguished by particular privileges; so called a palatio, 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 their powers are now abridged. The counties palatine, in England, are Lancaster, Chester, and Durham. County corporate, is a county invested with particular privileges by charter or royal grant; as, London, York, Bristol, &c.