Definition of sovereign

< sou'wester

sovereignty >

sov·er·eign    (svr-n, svrn) KEY 

NOUN:

1. One that exercises supreme, permanent authority, especially in a nation or other governmental unit, as:
   1. A king, queen, or other noble person who serves as chief of state; a ruler or monarch.
   2. A national governing council or committee.
2. A nation that governs territory outside its borders.
3. A gold coin formerly used in Great Britain.

ADJECTIVE:

1. Self-governing; independent: a sovereign state.
2. Having supreme rank or power: a sovereign prince.
3. Paramount; supreme: Her sovereign virtue is compassion.
4. 1. Of superlative strength or efficacy: a sovereign remedy.
   2. Unmitigated: sovereign contempt.

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ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English soverain, from Old French, from Vulgar Latin *supernus, from Latin super, above; see uper in Indo-European roots

OTHER FORMS:
sover·eign·ly(Adverb)