I. noun
also sov·ran ˈsä-v(ə-)rən, -vərn also ˈsə-
Etymology: Middle English soverain, from Anglo-French soverein, from soverein, adjective
Date: 13th century
1.
a. : one possessing or held to possess sovereignty
b. : one that exercises supreme authority within a limited sphere
c. : an acknowledged leader : arbiter
2. : any of various gold coins of the United Kingdom
II. adjective
also sovran
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