suzerain noun & adjective. ['su:zǝreɪn] Also fem. (rare) suzeraine. E19.
[French, Old French suserain, prob. from sus above, up (from Latin su(r)sum upward), after souverain SOVEREIGN.]
A. noun.
1. A feudal overlord. E19.

2. A sovereign or State having some control over another State that is internally autonomous. M19.
b. attrib. or as adjective. Of a ruler or State: holding the position of suzerain. M19.

[TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲