n.
Variant: also sovran
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English soverain, from Anglo-French soverein, from Vulgar Latin *superanus, from Latin super over, above ― more at OVER
Date: 14th century
1 a : superlative in quality : EXCELLENT b : of the most exalted kind : SUPREME < sovereign virtue> c : having generalized curative powers <a sovereign remedy> d : of an unqualified nature : UNMITIGATED < sovereign contempt> e : having undisputed ascendancy : PARAMOUNT
2 a : possessed of supreme power <a sovereign ruler> b : unlimited in extent : ABSOLUTE c : enjoying autonomy : INDEPENDENT < sovereign states>
3 : relating to, characteristic of, or befitting a sovereign
synonyms see FREE
– sov · er · eign · ly adverb