Sov"er*eign [OE. soverain, sovereyn, OF. soverain, suvrain, F. souverain, LL. superanus, fr. L. superus that is above, upper, higher, fr. super above. See Over, Super, and cf. Soprano. The modern spelling is due to a supposed connection with reign.]

1.

Supreme or highest in power; superior to all others; chief; as, our sovereign prince.

2.

Independent of, and unlimited by, any other; possessing, or entitled to, original authority or jurisdiction; as, a sovereign state; a sovereign discretion.

3.

Princely; royal.

"Most sovereign name."

Shak.

At Babylon was his sovereign see. Chaucer.

4.

Predominant; greatest; utmost; paramount.

We acknowledge him [God] our sovereign good. Hooker.

5.

Efficacious in the highest degree; effectual; controlling; as, a sovereign remedy.

Dryden.

Such a sovereign influence has this passion upon the regulation of the lives and actions of men. South.

Sovereign state, a state which administers its own government, and is not dependent upon, or subject to, another power.

 

© Webster 1913.


Sov"er*eign

1.

The person, body, or state in which independent and supreme authority is vested; especially, in a monarchy, a king, queen, or emperor.

No question is to be made but that the bed of the Mississippi belongs to the sovereign, that is, to the nation. Jefferson.

2.

A gold coin of Great Britain, on which an effigy of the head of the reigning king or queen is stamped, valued at one pound sterling, or about $4.86.

3. Zool.

Any butterfly of the tribe Nymphalidi, or genus Basilarchia, as the ursula and the viceroy.

Syn. -- King; prince; monarch; potentate; emperor.

 

© Webster 1913.