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View synonyms for suzerain

suzerain

[ soo-zuh-rin, -reyn ]

noun

  1. a sovereign or a state exercising political control over a dependent state.
  2. History/Historical. a feudal overlord.


adjective

  1. characteristic of or being a suzerain.

suzerain

/ ˈsuːzəˌreɪn /

noun

    1. a state or sovereign exercising some degree of dominion over a dependent state, usually controlling its foreign affairs
    2. ( as modifier )

      a suzerain power

    1. a feudal overlord
    2. ( as modifier )

      suzerain lord

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Word History and Origins

Origin of suzerain1

1800–10; < French, equivalent to sus above (< Latin sūsum, variant of sursum, contraction of subversum, neuter of subversus upturned; sub-, verse ) + ( souv ) erain sovereign
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Word History and Origins

Origin of suzerain1

C19: from French, from sus above (from Latin sursum turned upwards, from sub- up + vertere to turn) + -erain , as in souverain sovereign
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Example Sentences

“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.”

The monarch was rapidly acquiring a centralized power, which was very different from the overlordship of a feudal suzerain.

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.

It could be received only by the suzerain in person.

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.

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Suzannesuzerainty