Sovereignty \Sov"er*eign*ty\, n.; pl. Sovereignties. [OE. soverainetee, OF. sovrainet['e], F. souverainet['e].]

The quality or state of being sovereign, or of being a sovereign; the exercise of, or right to exercise, supreme power; dominion; sway; supremacy; independence; also, that which is sovereign; a sovereign state; as, Italy was formerly divided into many sovereignties.

Woman desiren to have sovereignty As well over their husband as over their love. --Chaucer.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)