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Comte

Defined in 3 dictionaries — Ballentine's (1916), Black's (1910), Burrill (1850)

Ballentine's Law Dictionary

James A. Ballentine · 1916

(French) A count.

Black's Law Dictionary

Henry Campbell Black, M.A. · 1910

Fr. A count or earl. In the ancient French law, the comte was an officer having Jurisdiction over a particular district or territory, with functions partly military and partly judicial.

A New Law Dictionary and Glossary

Alexander M. Burrill · 1850

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.