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; sub-, verse ) + ( souv ) erain sovereign
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.
“Even now, in the 21st century, some U.S. officials and elites still deep in their hearts know and understand the world through the framework of the suzerain and its colonies.”
From New York Times
Count Raymond, apparently reckless of the numerous excommunications under which he lay, so far from sailing for Palestine in March, had seized Marseilles, which was in rebellion against its suzerain, the Count of Provence.
From Project Gutenberg
The town was well fortified and garrisoned; the Counts of Foix and Comminges had come at the summons of their suzerain, and the citizens were earnest in defence.
From Project Gutenberg
It could be received only by the suzerain in person.
From Project Gutenberg
The English kings did, indeed, exercise some sort of suzerain authority over most of the neighbouring colonies, but this authority was probably never so complete as historians would have us believe.
From Project Gutenberg
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.
