The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Country \Coun"try\ (k?n"tr?), n.; pl. Countries (-tr?z). [F.
   contr['e]e, LL. contrata, fr. L. contra over against, on the
   opposite side. Cf. Counter, adv., Contra.]
   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.
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            Return unto thy country, and to thy kindred. --Gen.
                                                  xxxxii. 9.
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            I might have learned this by my last exile,
            that change of countries cannot change my state.
                                                  --Stirling.
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            Many a famous realm
            And country, whereof here needs no account --Milton.
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   2. Rural regions, as opposed to a city or town.
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            As they walked, on their way into the country.
                                                  --Mark xvi. 12
                                                  (Rev. Ver. ).
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            God made the covatry, and man made the town.
                                                  --Cowper.
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            Only very great men were in the habit of dividing
            the year between town and country.    --Macaulay.
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   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.
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                All the country in a general voice
                Cried hate upon him.              --Shak.
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   4. (Law)
      (a) A jury, as representing the citizens of a country.
      (b) The inhabitants of the district from which a jury is
          drawn.
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   5. (Mining.) The rock through which a vein runs.
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   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.
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