sovereign

[ sov-rin, sov-er-in, suhv- ]
/ ˈsɒv rɪn, ˈsɒv ər ɪn, ˈsʌv- /

noun

adjective

Origin of sovereign

1250–1300; Middle English soverain (alteration by influence of reign) < Old French soverain < Vulgar Latin *superānus, equivalent to Latin super- super- + -ānus -an

OTHER WORDS FROM sovereign

Example sentences from the Web for sovereign

British Dictionary definitions for sovereign

sovereign
/ (ˈsɒvrɪn) /

noun

a person exercising supreme authority, esp a monarch
a former British gold coin worth one pound sterling

adjective

supreme in rank or authority a sovereign lord
excellent or outstanding a sovereign remedy
of, relating to, or characteristic of a sovereign
independent of outside authority a sovereign state

Derived forms of sovereign

sovereignly, adverb

Word Origin for sovereign

C13: from Old French soverain, from Vulgar Latin superānus (unattested), from Latin super above; also influenced by reign