/sooh"zeuh rin, -rayn'/ , n.
1. a sovereign or a state exercising political control over a dependent state.
2. Hist. a feudal overlord.
adj.
3. characteristic of or being a suzerain.
[ 1800-10; sus above ( susum, var. of sursum, contr. of subversum, neut. of subversus upturned; see SUB-, VERSE) + ( souv ) erain SOVEREIGN ]