Comitatns

I.

In old English law. A county or shire, — so called from the comes, or earl, who formerly had the government of it; an earldom; the county court; anciently a court of great dignity, and called forum plebeice justitice et theatrum, comitivoB potestatis, the tribunal of common justice, and the seat of the power of the county; a train or body of companions, followers or attendants. V. Posse.

In the Roman law. The court or household of the emperor.

In feudal law. The dignity, ofl Sce or fief of a comes or count