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sovereign |
3 definitions found From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Sovereign \Sov"er*eign\ (? or ?; 277), n. 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. (Zo["o]l.) Any butterfly of the tribe {Nymphalidi}, or genus {Basilarchia}, as the ursula and the viceroy. Syn: King; prince; monarch; potentate; emperor. From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: 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. 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. From WordNet r 1.6 [wn]: sovereign adj 1: of political bodies; "an autonomous judiciary"; "a sovereign state" [syn: {autonomous}, {independent}, {self-governing}] 2: greatest in status or authority or power; "a supreme tribunal" [syn: {supreme}] n : the ruler of a nation [syn: {crowned head}, {monarch}]
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