Main Entry: ¹sov·er·eign

Variant(s): also sov·ran \ˈsä-v(ə-)rən, -vərn also ˈsə-\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English soverain, from Anglo-French soverein, from soverein, adjective

Date: 13th century

1 a : one possessing or held to possess sovereignty b : one that exercises supreme authority within a limited sphere c : an acknowledged leader : arbiter
2 : any of various gold coins of the United Kingdom