01 n. Formerly: (a) An inclosure which surrounded the mere homestead or dwelling of the lord of the manor. [Obs.] (b) The whole of the land which…
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1.
Formerly: (a) An inclosure which surrounded the mere homestead or dwelling of the lord of the manor. [Obs.] (b) The whole of the land which constituted the domain. [Obs.] (c) A collection of houses inclosed by fences or walls.[Obs.]
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2.
Any number or collection of houses to which belongs a regular market, and which is not a city or the see of a bishop.[Eng.]
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3.
Any collection of houses larger than a village, and not incorporated as a city; also, loosely, any large, closely populated place, whether incorporated or not, in distinction from the country, or from rural communities.“God made the country, and man made the town.” — Cowper.
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4.
The body of inhabitants resident in a town; as, the town voted to send two representatives to the legislature; the town voted to lay a tax for repairing the highways.
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5.
A township; the whole territory within certain limits, less than those of a country.[U. S.]
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6.
The court end of London; -- commonly with the.
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8.
A farm or farmstead; also, a court or farmyard.[Prov. Eng. & Scot.]
Phrases & compounds
Town clerk —
an office who keeps the records of a town, and enters its official proceedings. See Clerk.
Town cress —
the garden cress, or peppergrass.
Town house —
A house in town, in distinction from a house in the country.
Town meeting —
a legal meeting of the inhabitants of a town entitled to vote, for the transaction of public bisiness.
Town talk —
the common talk of a place; the subject or topic of common conversation.