from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Sovereign \Sov"er*eign\ (? or ?; 277), a. [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.
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2. Independent of, and unlimited by, any other; possessing,
or entitled to, original authority or jurisdiction; as, a
sovereign state; a sovereign discretion.
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3. Princely; royal. "Most sovereign name." --Shak.
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At Babylon was his sovereign see. --Chaucer.
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4. Predominant; greatest; utmost; paramount.
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We acknowledge him [God] our sovereign good.
--Hooker.
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5. Efficacious in the highest degree; effectual; controlling;
as, a sovereign remedy. --Dryden.
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Such a sovereign influence has this passion upon the
regulation of the lives and actions of men. --South.
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{Sovereign state}, a state which administers its own
government, and is not dependent upon, or subject to,
another power.
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