countship

[ kount-ship ]

noun

1. the rank or position of a count.
2. the territory or jurisdiction of a count.

Word History and Origins

Origin of countship¹

First recorded in 1695–1705; count ² + -ship

Example Sentences

The countship, however, had passed in 1422 to the house of La Tour, and was not annexed to the domain until 1615.

From Project Gutenberg

Seeing his danger Rudolph ceded the countship to Herbert, and Charles was relegated to his prison until his death in 929.

From Project Gutenberg

Bar-le-Duc was at one time the seat of the countship, later duchy, of Bar, the history of which is given below.

From Project Gutenberg

Thus the kings in granting a duchy or countship as an apanage to their brothers or sons used the phrase in comitatum et baroniam.

From Project Gutenberg

From about 819 to 1082 Carcassonne formed a separate countship, and from the latter date till 1247 a viscountship.

From Project Gutenberg