ˈkʌntrɪ n. (pl. -ies) 1 a
the territory of a
nation with its own government; a
State. b a territory possessing its own
language,
people,
culture, etc. 2 (often attrib.)
rural districts as opposed to towns or the capital (a
cottage in the country; a country town). 3 the
land of a person's
birth or citizenship; a
fatherland. 4 a a territory,
esp. an
area of
interest or
knowledge. b a
region associated with a
particular person, esp. a
writer (Hardy country). 5
Brit. a
national population, esp. as voters (the country won't
stand for it). øacross country
not keeping to roads. country-and-western rural or
cowboy songs originating in the
US,
and usu. accompanied by a
guitar etc. country
club a
sporting and
social club in a rural
setting. country
cousin often derog. a person with a
countrified appearance or manners. country
dance a
traditional sort of dance, esp.
English, with couples
facing each other in long lines. country
gentleman a gentleman with
landed property. country
house a usu.
large house in the country, often the
seat of a country gentleman. country
music = country-and-western. country party a
political party supporting agricultural interests. country seat a large country house belonging to an
aristocratic family. country-wide extending
throughout a nation. go (or appeal) to the country Brit. test
public opinion by dissolving
Parliament and
holding a
general election. in the country Cricket sl.
far from the wickets; in the
deep field. line of country a
subject about which a person is
knowledgeable.
unknown country an
unfamiliar place or
topic. [ME f. OF cuntree, f. med.L contrata (terra) (land) lying
opposite (CONTRA)]
