ˈʃaɪə n.
Brit. 1 a
county. 2 (the Shires) a a
group of
English counties
with names
ending or
formerly ending in
-shire, extending NE
from Hampshire
and Devon. b
the midland counties of England. c the fox-hunting
district of
mainly Leicestershire and
Northants. 3
Austral. a
rural area with
its own elected
council. øshire-horse a
heavy powerful type of draught-horse
bred chiefly in the midland counties of England. [OE scir, OHG scira
care,
official charge: orig. unkn.]