County \Coun"ty\ (koun"t?), n.; pl. {Counties} (-t?z). [F. comt?, 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.