from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Country \Coun"try\ (k?n"tr?), n.; pl. {Countries} (-tr?z). [F.
contr['e]e, 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.
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Return unto thy country, and to thy kindred. --Gen.
xxxxii. 9.
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I might have learned this by my last exile,
that change of countries cannot change my state.
--Stirling.
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Many a famous realm
And country, whereof here needs no account --Milton.
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2. Rural regions, as opposed to a city or town.
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As they walked, on their way into the country.
--Mark xvi. 12
(Rev. Ver. ).
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God made the covatry, and man made the town.
--Cowper.
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Only very great men were in the habit of dividing
the year between town and country. --Macaulay.
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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.
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All the country in a general voice
Cried hate upon him. --Shak.
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4. (Law)
(a) A jury, as representing the citizens of a country.
(b) The inhabitants of the district from which a jury is
drawn.
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5. (Mining.) The rock through which a vein runs.
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{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.
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