SUZERAIN


Meaning of SUZERAIN in English

ˈsüzərə̇n, -zəˌrān sometimes ˈsəz- noun

( -s )

Etymology: French, from sus above, up, upon (from Latin susum, sursum up, upwards, from sub- up + versum, neuter of versus, past participle of vertere to turn) + -erain (as in souverain sovereign, from Old French soverain ) — more at sub- , worth , sovereign

1. : a superior lord to whom fealty is due : a feudal lord : overlord

2. : a dominant state exercising varying degrees of control over a vassal state with regard to its foreign relations but allowing it sovereign authority in its internal affairs

Webster's New International English Dictionary.      Новый международный словарь английского языка Webster.