English

Noun

suzerain ‎(plural suzerains)

1. A dominant nation or state which has control over the international affairs of a subservient state which has domestic autonomy.
   • 1920–1921, L[assa Francis Lawrence] Oppenheim, Ronald F. Roxburgh, editor, International Law: A Treatise, volume I (Peace), 3rd edition, London; New York, N.Y.: Longman, Green and Co., page 162:

     Suzerainty is a term which was originally used for the relation between the feudal lord and his vassal; the lord was said to be the suzerain of the vassal, and at that time suzerainty was a term of Constitutional Law only. With the disappearance of the feudal system, suzerainty of this kind likewise disappeared. Modern suzerainty involves only a few rights of the suzerain State over the vassal State which can be called constitutional rights. The rights of the suzerain State over the vassal are principally international rights, of whatever they may consist.

2. A feudal landowner to whom vassals were forced to pledge allegiance.

Derived terms

• suzerainty

Translations

Adjective

suzerain ‎(not comparable)

1. Pertaining to a suzerain.

Anagrams

• azurines

French

Noun

suzerain m ‎(plural suzerains)

1. suzerain

Adjective

suzerain m ‎(feminine singular suzeraine, masculine plural suzerains, feminine plural suzeraines)

1. suzeraine