Sovereignly

sov·er·eign  (svr-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.

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[Middle English soverain, from Old French, from Vulgar Latin *supernus, from Latin super, above; see uper in Indo-European roots.]

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sover·eign·ly adv.