‖ comitatus
(kɒmɪˈteɪtəs)
[L., collective deriv. of comes, comit-em, companion, count.]
1. A body of comites or companions; a retinue of warriors or nobles attached to the person of a king or chieftain. b. The status or relationship of such a body to their chief.
| 1875 Stubbs Const. Hist. I. vi. 152 The development of the comitatus into a territorial nobility seems to be a feature peculiar to English History. Ibid. I. vi. 160 The Danish jarl..seems to have been more certainly connected by the tie of comitatus with his king than the Anglo-Saxon ealdorman. 1875 Maine Hist. Inst. v. 138 The first aristocracy springing from kingly favour consisted of the Comitatus or Companions of the King. |
2. An (English) county; as in the legal phrase posse comitatus, q.v.