country
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Contents
English[edit]
Etymology[edit]
Middle English contree, contre, from Old French contree, from Vulgar Latin (terra) contrata (“(land) lying opposite; (land) spread before”), derived from contra (“against, opposite”).
Pronunciation[edit]
- enPR: kŭn'tri, IPA(key): /ˈkʌntɹi/
- Rhymes: -ʌntɹi
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Audio (UK) (file) -
Audio (US) (file) - Hyphenation: coun‧try
Noun[edit]
country (plural countries)
- (archaic) An area of land; a district, region. [from 13th c.]
- 2010, David Vann, The Observer, 7 Mar 2010:
- We walk along flat, open country, red dirt and spinifex grass, a few short trees [...].
- 2010, David Vann, The Observer, 7 Mar 2010:
- A set region of land having particular human occupation or agreed limits, especially inhabited by members of the same race, language speakers etc., or associated with a given person, occupation, species etc. [from 13th c.]
- 2007, Chris Moss, The Guardian, 17 Feb 2007:
- This is condor country - the only region this far east where you can see the magnificent vulture - and a small national park straddling the passes, El Condorito, is a good stopover for walkers and birders.
- 2007, Chris Moss, The Guardian, 17 Feb 2007:
- The territory of a nation, especially an independent nation state or formerly independent nation; a political entity asserting ultimate authority over a geographical area. [from 14th c.]
- 1994, Nelson Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom, Abacus 2010, p. 3:
- It is a beautiful country of rolling hills, fertile valleys, and a thousand rivers and streams which keep the landscape green even in winter.
- 2010, The Economist, 3 Feb 2011:
- These days corporate Germany looks rather different. Volkswagen, the country’s leading carmaker, wants to be the world’s biggest by 2018.
- 2013 June 22, “T time”, The Economist, volume 407, number 8841, page 68:
- The ability to shift profits to low-tax countries by locating intellectual property in them, which is then licensed to related businesses in high-tax countries, is often assumed to be the preserve of high-tech companies.
- 1994, Nelson Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom, Abacus 2010, p. 3:
- (usually preceded by “the”) A rural area, as opposed to a town or city; the countryside. [from 16th c.]
- 1603, John Florio, translating Michel de Montaigne, Essays, II.17:
- I was borne and brought up in the Countrie, and amidst husbandry [...].
- 2000, Alexander Chancellor, The Guardian, 4 Mar 2000:
- I have always thought that one of the main reasons for the popularity of blood sports in the country is the pointlessness of going outdoors with no purpose or destination in mind.
- 1603, John Florio, translating Michel de Montaigne, Essays, II.17:
- Country music. [from 20th c.]
- (mining) The rock through which a vein runs.
Derived terms[edit]
Terms derived from country (noun)
Translations[edit]
region of land
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nation state
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the country, rural area, as opposed to the town or city
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country music
See also[edit]
Adjective[edit]
country (not comparable)
- From or in the countryside or connected with it.
- 1898, Winston Churchill, chapter 5, The Celebrity:
- When this conversation was repeated in detail within the hearing of the young woman in question, and undoubtedly for his benefit, Mr. Trevor threw shame to the winds and scandalized the Misses Brewster then and there by proclaiming his father to have been a country storekeeper.
- 1898, Winston Churchill, chapter 5, The Celebrity:
- Of or connected to country music.
Translations[edit]
of, from or pertaining to the countryside (adjective)
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Statistics[edit]
Finnish[edit]
Pronunciation[edit]
Noun[edit]
country
Declension[edit]
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Declension of country (type risti)
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Usage notes[edit]
The inflection of this word is somewhat awkward as it does not fit nicely into any Finnish declension category although risti is the closest. Many speakers prefer to use synonyms when they have to inflect the word.
Synonyms[edit]
French[edit]
Etymology[edit]
From English
Noun[edit]
country m (uncountable)
Italian[edit]
Etymology[edit]
From English
Noun[edit]
country m (invariable)
Portuguese[edit]
Noun[edit]
country m (uncountable)
Categories:
- English terms derived from Middle English
- English terms derived from Old French
- English terms with audio links
- English nouns
- English countable nouns
- English archaic terms
- en:Mining
- English adjectives
- 1000 English basic words
- Finnish nouns
- Finnish risti-type nominals
- French terms derived from English
- French nouns
- French masculine nouns
- French uncountable nouns
- fr:Music genres
- Italian terms derived from English
- Italian nouns
- it:Music
- Portuguese nouns
