Meaning

• A fortified town.

• A town or city.

• A town having a municipal corporation and certain traditional rights.

• An administrative district in some cities, e.g., London.

• An administrative unit of a city which, under most circumstances according to state or national law, would be considered a larger or more powerful entity; most commonly used in American English to define the five counties that make up New York City.

• Other similar administrative units in cities and states in various parts of the world.

• A district in Alaska having powers similar to a county.

• An association of men who gave pledges or sureties to the king for the good behaviour of each other.

• The pledge or surety thus given.