sovereign
|sov-er-eign|
C1
🇺🇸
/ˈsɑːv.rən/
🇬🇧
/ˈsɒv.rɪn/
supreme authority
Etymology
Etymology Information
'sovereign' originates from Old French, specifically the word 'soverain', where 'sover' meant 'above' and '-ain' was a suffix indicating a person or thing.
Historical Evolution
'soverain' transformed into the Middle English word 'sovereyn', and eventually became the modern English word 'sovereign'.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'supreme ruler', but over time it evolved to also mean 'possessing ultimate power'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a supreme ruler, especially a monarch.
The sovereign of the kingdom was known for her wisdom.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Adjective 1
possessing supreme or ultimate power.
The sovereign state has the right to govern itself.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Idioms
Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:39