【法】 特别市

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.]

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.

3. A count; an earl or lord. [Obs.] --Shak.

{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.