Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Territory
Ter′ri-to-ry
,Noun.
pl.
Territories
(#)
. 1.
A large extent or tract of land; a region; a country; a district.
He looked, and saw wide
Before him – towns, and rural works between.
territory
spreadBefore him – towns, and rural works between.
Milton.
2.
The extent of land belonging to, or under the dominion of, a prince, state, or other form of government; often, a tract of land lying at a distance from the parent country or from the seat of government;
as, the
. territory
of a State; the territories
of the East India Company3.
In the United States, a portion of the country not included within the limits of any State, and not yet admitted as a State into the Union, but organized with a separate legislature, under a Territorial governor and other officers appointed by the President and Senate of the United States. In Canada, a similarly organized portion of the country not yet formed into a Province.
Webster 1828 Edition
Territory
TER'RITORY
,Noun.
1.
The extent or compass of land within the bounds or belonging to the jurisdiction of any state, city or other body. Linger not in my territories.
They erected a house within their own territory.
Arts and sciences took their rise and flourished only in those small territories where the people were free.
2.
A tract of land belonging to and under the dominion of a prince or state, lying at a distance from the parent country or from the seat of government; as the territories of the East India Company; the territories of the United States; the territory of Michigan; Northwest Territory. These districts of country, when received into the union and acknowledged to be states, lose the appellation of territory.