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.

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.

• 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.