Country
A state with borders, a government, and international recognition. Also, one's nation. (see also Nation)
How We Say It
kun·tree
Where It Comes From
Old French contrée — region, district. From Vulgar Latin contrata (terra) — land lying opposite, the land spread before one. From Latin contra — against, facing. Originally referred to the landscape one faces — a region — before acquiring its modern sense of a sovereign state.
How It's Been Used
Used interchangeably with 'nation' and 'state' in everyday speech, though political theorists distinguish them — country as territory, nation as people, state as government. Also used in opposition to city ('the country' as rural), preserving the older geographic sense. The number of countries depends on who is counting — the UN recognizes 193 member states, but other lists vary by recognition disputes.