suzerain
Americannoun
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a sovereign or a state exercising political control over a dependent state.
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History/Historical. a feudal overlord.
adjective
noun
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a state or sovereign exercising some degree of dominion over a dependent state, usually controlling its foreign affairs
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( as modifier )
a suzerain power
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a feudal overlord
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( as modifier )
suzerain lord
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Etymology
Origin of suzerain
1800–10; < French, equivalent to sus above (< Latin sūsum, variant of sursum, contraction of subversum, neuter of subversus upturned; see sub-, verse) + ( souv ) erain sovereign
Explanation
When one country controls most of another country's affairs while still allowing it some autonomy, the dominant country is called a suzerain. In modern world affairs, suzerains are unusual, but history includes a number of them. For example, the Ottoman Empire was the suzerain in its relationships with Moldova, the principality of Serbia, and Wallachia, and for years China was a suzerain to Mongolia.
Vocabulary lists containing suzerain
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In 1878, Britain took Cyprus in "trust" from the declining Ottoman Empire and disregarded Cypriot demands for union with Greece on the grounds that the Sultan was still the suzerain.
From Time Magazine Archive
In four days at Philadelphia's Kelly Pool, nine world and 13 American records were demolished, and U.S. aquatic status soared to suzerain heights.
From Time Magazine Archive
Although he showed no wish to sever his connection with the Roman Empire, Gregory behaved as if he considered the emperor his suzerain rather than his immediate ruler.
From The Byzantine Empire by Oman, Charles William Chadwick
Let us, however, observe that this advocate of the people’s supremacy over their sovereign’s was himself the vowed slave to passive obedience, and the indefeasible and absolute rule of the sacerdotal suzerain.
From Amenities of Literature Consisting of Sketches and Characters of English Literature by Disraeli, Isaac
But he was obliged to supply the suzerain of the Duchy of Normandy with two fowls every year, a tax that was religiously exacted from 'his lordship.'
From Victor Hugo: His Life and Works by Smith, G. Barnett
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
