/ ˈsɒvrɪn; NAmE ˈsɑːvrən/ noun , adjective
■ noun
1.
( formal ) a king or queen
2.
an old British gold coin worth one pound
■ adjective ( formal )
1.
[ only before noun ] ( of a country or state ) free to govern itself; completely independent
SYN autonomous
2.
having complete power or the greatest power in the country :
a sovereign ruler
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from Old French soverain , based on Latin super above. The change in the ending was due to association with reign .