Coun·try n.; pl. Countries
1. A tract of land; a region; the territory of an independent nation; (as distinguished from any other region, and with a personal pronoun) the region of one's birth, permanent residence, or citizenship.
Return unto thy country, and to thy kindred. --Gen. xxxxii. 9.
I might have learned this by my last exile,
that change of countries cannot change my state. --Stirling.
Many a famous realm
And country, whereof here needs no account --Milton.
2. Rural regions, as opposed to a city or town.
As they walked, on their way into the country. --Mark xvi. 12 (Rev. Ver. ).
God made the covatry, and man made the town. --Cowper.
Only very great men were in the habit of dividing the year between town and country. --Macaulay.
3. The inhabitants or people of a state or a region; the populace; the public. Hence: (a) One's constituents. (b) The whole body of the electors of state; as, to dissolve Parliament and appeal to the country.
All the country in a general voice
Cried hate upon him. --Shak.
4. Law (a) A jury, as representing the citizens of a country. (b) The inhabitants of the district from which a jury is drawn.
5. Mining. The rock through which a vein runs.
Conclusion to the country. See under Conclusion.
To put one's self upon the country, or To throw one's self upon the country, to appeal to one's constituents; to stand trial before a jury.