Meaning

noun a nation's ruler or head of state usually by hereditary right

adjective (of political bodies) not controlled by outside forces

adjective greatest in status or authority or power

originFrom Middle English sovereyn, from Old French soverain (whence also modern French souverain), from Vulgar Latin *superānus (compare Italian sovrano, Spanish soberano) from Latin super (“above”). Spelling influenced by folk-etymology association with reign. Doublet of soprano, from the same Latin root via Italian. Doublet of souverain. See also suzerain, foreign.

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 3.0