[1] : The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

country \coun"try\ k?n"tr?, n.; pl. countries -tr?z. f.
   contr'ee, ll. contrata, fr. l. contra over against, on the
   opposite side. cf. counter, adv., contra.
   1. a tract of land; a region; the territory of an independent
      nation; as distinguished from any other region, and with
      a personal pronoun the region of one's birth, permanent
      residence, or citizenship.
      1913 webster

            return unto thy country, and to thy kindred. --gen.
                                                  xxxxii. 9.
      1913 webster

            i might have learned this by my last exile,
            that change of countries cannot change my state.
                                                  --stirling.
      1913 webster

            many a famous realm
            and country, whereof here needs no account --milton.
      1913 webster

   2. rural regions, as opposed to a city or town.
      1913 webster

            as they walked, on their way into the country.
                                                  --mark xvi. 12
                                                  rev. ver. .
      1913 webster

            god made the covatry, and man made the town.
                                                  --cowper.
      1913 webster

            only very great men were in the habit of dividing
            the year between town and country.    --macaulay.
      1913 webster

   3. the inhabitants or people of a state or a region; the
      populace; the public. hence:
      a one's constituents.
      b the whole body of the electors of state; as, to
          dissolve parliament and appeal to the country.
          1913 webster

                all the country in a general voice
                cried hate upon him.              --shak.
          1913 webster

   4. law
      a a jury, as representing the citizens of a country.
      b the inhabitants of the district from which a jury is
          drawn.
          1913 webster

   5. mining. the rock through which a vein runs.
      1913 webster

   conclusion to the country. see under conclusion.

   to put one's self upon the country, or to throw one's self
   upon the country, to appeal to one's constituents; to stand
      trial before a jury.
      1913 webster
see also:
countries counter contra conclusion to the country conclusion to put one's self upon the country 
to throw one's self upon the country 

Countries >> C Words
Countries, definition of term: Countries
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