1
Stage 1 of 3
superanus
Vulgar Latin · medieval
"above, superior"
above others, from super (above)
2
Stage 2 of 3
soverain
Old French · medieval
"one holding supreme power"
carried into French for one holding supreme power
3
Stage 3 of 3
sovereign
English · 1300s
"a supreme ruler, or possessing supreme authority"
settled as the English word for a supreme ruler or supreme authority
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