country

Etymology

From Middle English contre, contree, contreie, from Old French contree, from Vulgar Latin (terra) contrāta (“(land) lying opposite; (land) spread before”), derived from Latin contra (“against, opposite”). Cognate with Scots kintra.

noun

1. The territory of a nation, especially an independent nation state or formerly independent nation; a political entity asserting ultimate authority over a geographical area; a sovereign state.
   By one o'clock the place was choc-a-bloc. […] The restaurant was packed, and the promenade between the two main courts and the subsidiary courts was thronged with healthy-looking youngish people, drawn to the Mecca of tennis from all parts of the country. 1935, George Goodchild, chapter 5, in Death on the Centre Court
   These days corporate Germany looks rather different. Volkswagen, the country’s leading carmaker, wants to be the world’s biggest by 2018. 2010, The Economist, 3 Feb 2011
   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. 2013-06-22, “T time”, in The Economist, volume 407, number 8841, page 68
2. A set region of land having particular human occupation or agreed limits, especially inhabited by members of the same race, speakers of the same language etc., or associated with a given person, occupation, species etc.
   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. 17 Feb 2007, Chris Moss, The Guardian
3. (uncountable, usually preceded by “the”) A rural area, as opposed to a town or city; the countryside.
   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. 4 Mar 2000, Alexander Chancellor, The Guardian
4. (chiefly Britain) An area of land; a district, region.
   We walk along flat, open country, red dirt and spinifex grass, a few short trees[…]. 7 Mar 2010, David Vann, The Observer
5. (Australia, usually capitalised) Traditional lands of Indigenous people with embedded cultural, spiritual, cosmological, ecological, and physical attributes and values.
   "Me like my country — no much too hot, no much too cold. By and bye, white fellow come — soldier-man come. White fellow say, this our land, that our land — ALL country our land. Black fellow say no! my country no white fellow's country, and black fellow take spear. 16 Feb 1842, The Inquirer, Perth, page 5, column 2
   "Yewi," he said, "me bin longa Fanny Bay gaol five years." On my asking why they put him in gaol he replied. "Australia your country, ain't it?" I replied, "Yes, him my country all right." "Well," he then said, "this my country here. Brinken country other side of the river ain't it?" "That's right," said I. "Well," said Jack, "supposem Japanese come longa this country and you killem, you good man, but suppose Brinken come longa my country here, and I kill him, police man put me longa Fanny Bay for five years. That is the law." 27 Sep 1945, The Chronicle, Adelaide, page 35, column 4
   It demonstrates that having Indigenous people on country managing their lands, delivering environmental benefits for all Australians is an important asset for the national good. 23 July 2008, The Torres News, page 5, column 1
   What country do you live/work on? I work on Yuggera Yuggarapul country and I'm from Darwin, Larrakia country. 8 July 2021, The Air Force News, page 16, column 2
6. Ellipsis of country music.
   a country song
   a country singer
   a country festival
7. (mining) The rock through which a vein runs.

adj

1. From or in the countryside or connected with it.
2. Of or connected to country music.
3. (India, historical) Originating in India rather than being imported from Europe or elsewhere.
   We have seen that the Company manufactured silk stuffs at three of its Residencies, but from country-wound silk. 1872, Silk in India, page 16
   A reference to the Annual Administration Reports of the Department of Horse-breeding Operations […] will allow of the opinion being arrived at, that the breed of country horses under the present regime is steadily improving. 1884, Journal of the United Service Institution of India, page 185
   Country harness costs nearly as much, lasts half the time, and is in every respect inferior. It is understood that the only reason is that the Court desires to improve and encourage Indian manufactures. 1937, Brigadier-General H. A. Young, The East India Company’s Arsenals & Manufactories