Cit"y (), n.; pl. Cities (#). [OE. cite, F. cit, fr. L. civitas citizenship, state, city, fr. civis citizen; akin to Goth. heiwa (in heiwafrauja man of the house), AS. , pl., members of a family, servants, family, G. heirath marriage, prop., providing a house, E. hind a peasant.]
1.
A large town.
2.
A corporate town; in the United States, a town or collective body of inhabitants, incorporated and governed by a mayor and aldermen or a city council consisting of a board of aldermen and a common council; in Great Britain, a town corporate, which is or has been the seat of a bishop, or the capital of his see.
A city is a town incorporated; which is, or has been, the see of a bishop; and though the bishopric has been dissolved, as at Westminster, it yet remaineth a city.
Blackstone
When Gorges constituted York a city, he of course meant it to be the seat of a bishop, for the word city has no other meaning in English law.
Palfrey
3.
The collective body of citizens, or inhabitants of a city.
"What is the
city but the people?"
Shak.
Syn. -- See Village.
© Webster 1913.
Cit"y, a.
Of or pertaining to a city.
Shak.
City council. See under Council. -- City court, The municipal court of a city. [U. S.] -- City ward, a watchman, or the collective watchmen, of a city. [Obs.]
Fairfax.
© Webster 1913.