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
For god and chief alike they had their suzerain, upon whose indulgence their lives depended.
From The Fijians A Study of the Decay of Custom by Basil Thomson
In return for protection, the cities often furnished a contingent to the army or navy of their suzerain, and sometimes paid tribute either in money or in kind.
From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 7, Slice 9 "Dagupan" to "David" by Various
During the 9th and 10th centuries it was the subject of dispute between more than one count of Galicia and the suzerain, and its coasts were repeatedly ravaged by the Normans.
From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 11, Slice 4 "G" to "Gaskell, Elizabeth" by Various
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.
