1 a county.
2 (the Shires) a a group of English counties with names ending or formerly ending in -shire, extending NE from Hampshire and Devon. b the midland counties of England. c the fox-hunting district of mainly Leicestershire and Northants.
3 Austral. a rural area with its own elected council.
Phrases and idioms:
shire-horse a heavy powerful type of draught-horse bred chiefly in the midland counties of England.
Etymology: OE scir, OHG scira care, official charge: orig. unkn.
Useful english dictionary. 2012.