from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Sovereignty \Sov"er*eign*ty\, n.; pl. {Sovereignties}. [OE.
soverainetee, OF. sovrainet['e], F. souverainet['e].]
The quality or state of being sovereign, or of being a
sovereign; the exercise of, or right to exercise, supreme
power; dominion; sway; supremacy; independence; also, that
which is sovereign; a sovereign state; as, Italy was formerly
divided into many sovereignties.
[1913 Webster]
Woman desiren to have sovereignty
As well over their husband as over their love.
--Chaucer.
[1913 Webster]