coun·ty 
(koun
t
ē)
n. pl. coun·ties 1. The largest administrative division of most states in the United States.
2. a. A territorial division exercising administrative, judicial, and political functions in Great Britain and Ireland.
b. The territory under the jurisdiction of a count or earl.
3. The people living in a county.
[Middle English counte, territorial division, from Old French conte, the territory of a count, from Medieval Latin comitātus, from Late Latin, the office of count, from Latin, retinue, from comes, comit-, companion; see ei- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]
county adj.