Main Entry:

¹coun·try

Pronunciation:

\ˈkən-trē\

Function:

noun

Inflected Form(s):

plural countries

Etymology:

Middle English contree, from Anglo-French cuntree, contré, from Medieval Latin contrata, from Latin contra against, on the opposite side

Date:

13th century

1: an indefinite usually extended expanse of land : region <miles of open country>2 a: the land of a person's birth, residence, or citizenship b: a political state or nation or its territory3 a: the people of a state or district : populace b: jury c: electorate 24: rural as distinguished from urban areas <prefers the country to the city>5: country music

— coun·try·ish \-trē-ish\ adjective