sov·er·eign (s v  r- n, svrn)n. 1. One that exercises supreme, permanent authority, especially in a nation or other governmental unit, as: a. A king, queen, or other noble person who serves as chief of state; a ruler or monarch. b. A national governing council or committee. 2. A nation that governs territory outside its borders. 3. A gold coin formerly used in Great Britain. adj. 1. Self-governing; independent: a sovereign state. 2. Having supreme rank or power: a sovereign prince. 3. Paramount; supreme: Her sovereign virtue is compassion. 4. a. Of superlative strength or efficacy: a sovereign remedy. b. Unmitigated: sovereign contempt. [Middle English soverain, from Old French, from Vulgar Latin *super  nus, from Latin super, above; see uper in Indo-European roots.]sov er·eign·ly adv. |
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