Comte

Fr. [Lat. comes.] Count. A title of office in the ancient law of France, denoting a governor of a particular territory or district, who united the characters of a military leader and a judge. As a judge he had an equal jurisdiction with the missus dominicus, or king's commissary. Esprit des Lois, liv.

28, c. 28; liv. 30, c. 18.

As a military officer, he commanded the freemen, and led them to the field. Id. liv.

30, c. 17, 18.

Montesquieu says he was at the head of all the freemen of the monarchy. Id. liv.

31, c. 23.

See also Id. liv.

30, c. 18; liv. 31, c. 1.

See Comes, Count. In later times, a title of nobility.