country

[ kuhn-tree ]

noun

, plural coun·tries.

1. a state or nation:

   What European countries have you visited?

2. the territory of a nation:

   The country is about 150 miles long.

3. the people of a district, state, or nation:

   The whole country backed the president in his decision.

4. the land of one's birth or citizenship:

   Do I need to return to my country to apply for a student visa?

5. the country, rural districts, including farmland, parkland, and other sparsely populated areas, as opposed to cities or towns:

   Many city dwellers like to spend their vacations in the country.

6. any considerable territory demarcated by topographical conditions, by a distinctive population, etc.:

   The mountainous country around here is beautiful.

   The book takes place in the Amish country of Pennsylvania.

7. land considered apart from any geographical or political limits:

   This urban population is packed into a relatively small patch of country.

8. Law. the public at large, as represented by a jury.
9. country music ( def ).

adjective

1. of, from, or characteristic of the country; rural:

   They lived on a winding country road.

2. of, relating to, or associated with country music:

   That Nashville station plays country records all day long.

3. rude; unpolished; rustic:

   He was scorned for his country manners.

4. of, from, or relating to a particular nation or area; national:

   Each team will display their country flag during the opening ceremony.

5. Obsolete. of one's own country.

country

/ ˈkʌntrɪ /

noun

1. a territory distinguished by its people, culture, language, geography, etc
2. an area of land distinguished by its political autonomy; state
3. the people of a territory or state

   the whole country rebelled

4. an area associated with a particular person

   Burns country

5. pastoralrural
   1. the part of the land that is away from cities or industrial areas; rural districts
   2. ( as modifier )

      country cottage

   3. ( in combination )

      a countryman

6. short for country music
7. archaic.
   a particular locality or district
8. up country
   away from the coast or the capital
9. one's native land or nation of citizenship
10. the country informal.
    the outlying area or area furthest from the finish of a sports ground or racecourse
11. modifier rough; uncouth; rustic

    country manners

12. across country
    not keeping to roads, etc
13. go to the country or appeal to the country
    to dissolve Parliament and hold an election
14. unknown country
    an unfamiliar topic, place, matter, etc

Other Words From

• in·ter·coun·try adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of country¹

First recorded in 1200–50; Middle English cuntree from Anglo-French, Old French from unrecorded Vulgar Latin (regiō) contrāta “(area) opposite,” from Latin contr(ā) counter ³ + -āta (feminine of -ātus -ate ¹ ); compare German Gegend “region,” derivative of gegen against

Word History and Origins

Origin of country¹

C13: from Old French contrée, from Medieval Latin contrāta, literally: that which lies opposite, from Latin contrā opposite

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. go to the country, British. to dissolve a Parliament and call for an election after members have cast a majority vote expressing a lack of confidence in the prime minister and cabinet. Also appeal to the country. vote of no confidence ( def ).
2. put oneself upon the / one's country, Law. to present one's cause formally before a jury.

Related Words

• community
• land
• people
• public
• region
• society
• state