Sovereign Meaning
/ˈsɒv.ɹɪn/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
adjExercising power of rule.
adjExceptional in quality.
Sentence Examples
As long as there are sovereign nations possessing great power, war is inevitable.
The English sovereign is generally said to reign but not rule.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
CEFR Practice Quiz
A ____ state has full control over its own government and laws.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The term ____ usually refers to a supreme ruler, such as a king or queen of an independent state.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English sovereyn, from Old French soverain (whence also modern French souverain), from Vulgar Latin *superānus (compare Italian sovrano, Spanish soberano) from Latin super (“above”). Spelling influenced by folk-etymology association with reign. Doublet of soprano, from the same Latin root via Italian. Doublet of souverain. See also suzerain, foreign.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"The ſoueraigne weede betwixt two marbles plaine
She pownded ſmall, and did in peeces bruze,
And then atweene her lilly handes twaine,
Into his wound the iuyce thereof did ſcruze […]"
— 1590, Edmund Spenser, “Book III, Canto V”, in The Faerie Queene. […], London: […] [John Wolfe] for William Ponsonbie, →OCLC:
"[…] God save the mark!—
And telling me the sovereign’st thing on earth
Was parmaceti for an inward bruise;"
— c. 1597 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The First Part of Henry the Fourth, […]”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene iii]:
"Homer of Moly and Nepenthe singes:
Moly, the gods most soveraigne hearbe divine.
Nepenth Hellen's drink, which gladnes brings,—
Hart's greife repells, and doth yᵉ witts refine."
— 1876, John Davies, “[Tobacco.]”, in Alexander B[alloch] Grosart, editor, The Complete Poems of Sir John Davies. Edited, with Memorial-Introduction and Notes, by the Rev. Alexander B. Grosart. In Two Volumes (Early English Poets), volume II, London: Chatto and Windus, Piccadilly, →OCLC, page 226:
"a sovereign remedy"
— 1681, John Dryden, The Spanish Fryar: Or, the Double Discovery. […], London: […] Richard Tonson and Jacob Tonson, […], →OCLC, (please specify the page number):
"Such a sovereign influence has this passion upon the regulation of the lives and actions of men."
— 1692–1717, Robert South, Twelve Sermons Preached upon Several Occasions, volume (please specify |volume=I to VI), London:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
A ____ state has full control over its own government and laws.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The term ____ usually refers to a supreme ruler, such as a king or queen of an independent state.