suzerain

2 definitions found

suzerain - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Suzerain \Su"ze*rain\, n. [F., formed fr. sus above, L. susum,
     sursum (fr. sub under + versum, p. p. of vertere to turn),
     after the analogy of souverain, E. sovereign. See Sub-, and
     Verse.]
     A superior lord, to whom fealty is due; a feudal lord; a lord
     paramount.
     [1913 Webster]

suzerain - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  suzerain
      n 1: a state exercising a degree of dominion over a dependent
           state especially in its foreign affairs