a. and sb. Chiefly poet. Also 7 soveran. [Milton’s spelling of SOVEREIGN, after It. sovrano.]
A. adj. = SOVEREIGN a.
1634. Milton, Comus, 41. By quick command from Soveran Jove I was dispatcht for their defence. Ibid. (1648), Tenure Kings, 10. The title of Sovran Lord, naturall Lord, and the like.
1751. G. West, Educ., xxxix. While Senates, Priests and Kings his sovran Sceptre own. Ibid., liii. His sovran Sway.
1794. Coleridge, Relig. Musings, 19. Nor high grove,… Nor the starred azure, nor the sovran sun. Ibid. (1802), Hymn Sunrise Chamouni, 3. So long he seems to pause On thy bald awful head, O sovran Blanc!
a. 1834. Lamb, Misc. Poems, Lines on Picture by Leonardo da Vinci. He … had read all the sovran schemes and divine riddles there.
1887. Mahaffy & Gilman, Alexander’s Empire, xxxii. 300. When circumstances, as it were, thrust upon them sovran authority.
B. sb. = SOVEREIGN sb.
1648. Milton, Tenure Kings, 20. Yet Eglon by the Jewes had bin acknowledgd as thir Sovran. Ibid. (1667), P. L., I. 246. Since hee Who now is Sovran can dispose and bid What shall be right.
1802. Coleridge, Hymn Sunrise Chamouni, 29. Thou first and chief, sole Sovran of the Vale!
1824. Landor, Imag. Conv., Wks. 1853, I. 2/1. The scrip across my saddlebow contains a full receipt for the discharge of my sovran.
1887. Mahaffy & Gilman, Alexander’s Empire, vi. 57. By armed interference, which was not unfrequent under these sovrans.
Hence Sovranly adv.
1833. Tennyson, Œnone, Poems 56. The imperial Olympian With archèd eyebrow smiling sovranly.
1880. W. Watson, Prince’s Quest, 14. To see that royal maiden … Unto her palace riding sovranly.
