sov'reign

Adjective

sovereign (comparative more sovereign, superlative most sovereign)

1. Exercising power of rule.
   • sovereign nation
   1. Having supreme, ultimate power; (often specifically, of a polity) having fully independent power in international relations.
      • Near-synonym: supreme
2. Exceptional in quality.
   • Her voice was her sovereign talent.
3. (archaic) Extremely potent or effective (of a medicine, remedy etc.).
   • 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
4. Princely; royal.
   • You pity not the state, nor the remembrance of his most sovereign name.c. 1610–1611 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Winters Tale”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount...
5. Predominant; greatest; utmost; paramount.
   • We acknowledge him [God] our sovereign good.[1594], Richard Hooker, edited by J[ohn] S[penser], Of the Lawes of Ecclesiastical Politie, […], London: […] Iohn Windet, […], →OCLC, (please specify the page)

See all 17 meanings of sovereign