suzerain
- a feudal lord
- a state in its relation to a semiautonomous state over which it exercises political control
Origin of suzerain
French from sus, above ( from Classical Latin su(r)sum, upward, above, contr. from subversum from sub-, sub- + versum, a turning from past participle of vertere: see verse) + ending -erain, as in souverain, sovereignsuzerain
noun
- A nation that controls another nation in international affairs but allows it domestic sovereignty.
- A feudal lord to whom fealty was due.
Origin of suzerain
French from Old French suserain probably sus up ( from Latin sūrsum, sūsum upward ) ( from subsvorsum turned upward ) ( subs-, sub- from under ; see sub- . ) ( vorsum ) ( neuter of vorsus ) ( variant of versus ) ( past participle of vertere to turn ; see versus . ) souverein sovereign ; see sovereign .Related Forms:
- su′ze·rain
adjective
suzerain
Noun
(plural suzerains)
- A dominant nation or state which has control over the international affairs of a subservient state which has domestic autonomy.
- A feudal land-owner to whom peasants were forced to pledge allegiance.
Adjective
(not comparable)
- Pertaining to suzerain
