Count

(ko unt.) (From L. comes, a companion. ] (Her.) A title of nobility beneath that of marquis and above that of baron, and variously written, viz.: in France, comte; in Spain and Portugal, conde; and in Italy, conte;-it corresponds with the rank of earl in England, and that of graf in Germany. The designation of C. is very ancient, having been in existence since the time of August us Cæsar; but it has much degenerated in importance, being now almost entirely titular. In England, the wife of an earl is styled a counte .- [Fr. compte, from L. computo, I reckon.] (Law.) A particular charge in an indictment, or narration in pleading, setting forth the cause of complaint; there maybe different C. in the same indictment. [s. 237]