shire

 
Pronunciation: /ˈʃʌɪə/

noun

  • 1British a county, especially in England.
  • (the Shires) used in reference to parts of England regarded as strongholds of traditional rural culture, especially the rural Midlands.
  • historical an administrative district in medieval times ruled jointly by an alderman and a sheriff.
  • 2Australian a rural area with its own elected council.

Origin:

Old English scīr 'care, official charge, county', of Germanic origin