County

(kount'e.) [Fr. comté, from L. comitatus.] In its original sense, the seigniory or territorial jurisdiction ofa count or earl. In England, a shire, or division of the kingdom, under the governorship of a lord-lieutenant, sheriff, and other officers. In the U. States, a circuit or distribution of territory into which each State is divided:-in Louisiana, however, such division is termed a parish, and, in S. Carolina, a district.- C. corporate, in England, certain cities and boroughs po e ing certain territorial charters and privileges; as | that of York. County Palatine, in England, is a C. distinguished by particular privileges, and named from palatium, the palace, because the owner (or earl) had originally royal powers in the administration of justice. The C. P. are 4, viz.: Lancaster, Chester, Cornwall, and Course, Durham. [s. 237]