\Sov"er*eign\ (? or ?; 277), a. [OE. soverain,
sovereyn, OF. soverain, suvrain, F. souverain, LL. superanus,
fr. L. superus that is above, upper, higher, fr. super above.
See {Over}, {Super}, and cf. {Soprano}. The modern spelling
is due to a supposed connection with reign.]
1. Supreme or highest in power; superior to all others;
   chief; as, our sovereign prince.
2. Independent of, and unlimited by, any other; possessing,
   or entitled to, original authority or jurisdiction; as, a
   sovereign state; a sovereign discretion.
3. Princely; royal. ``Most sovereign name.'' --Shak.
         At Babylon was his sovereign see.     --Chaucer.
4. Predominant; greatest; utmost; paramount.
         We acknowledge him [God] our sovereign good.
                                               --Hooker.
5. Efficacious in the highest degree; effectual; controlling;
   as, a sovereign remedy. --Dryden.
         Such a sovereign influence has this passion upon the
         regulation of the lives and actions of men. --South.
{Sovereign state}, a state which administers its own
   government, and is not dependent upon, or subject to,
   another power.

\Sov"er*eign\ (? or ?; 277), n.
1. The person, body, or state in which independent and
   supreme authority is vested; especially, in a monarchy, a
   king, queen, or emperor.
         No question is to be made but that the bed of the
         Mississippi belongs to the sovereign, that is, to
         the nation.                           --Jefferson.
2. A gold coin of Great Britain, on which an effigy of the
   head of the reigning king or queen is stamped, valued at
   one pound sterling, or about $4.86.
3. (Zo["o]l.) Any butterfly of the tribe {Nymphalidi}, or
   genus {Basilarchia}, as the ursula and the viceroy.
Syn: King; prince; monarch; potentate; emperor.