n.
(pl. countries)
- a nation with its own government, occupying a particular territory.
-
(often the country)
districts outside large urban areas.
- an area or region with regard to its physical features:
a tract of wild country.
Phrase
- across country
not keeping to roads. - go to the country
Brit. dissolve Parliament and hold a general election. - one's line of country
Brit. a subject in which one is skilled or knowledgeable.
Etymology
ME: from OFr. cuntree, from med. L. contrata (terra) ‘(land) lying opposite’, from L. contra ‘against, opposite’.