SUZERAINTY

suzerainty (soo-z[schwa]-rin-tee or -rayn-tee). 1. Hist. The power of a feudal overlord to whom fealty is due. See FEALTY. 2. Int’l law. The dominion of a nation that controls the foreign relations of another nation but allows it autonomy in its domestic affairs. “At the present time there appears to be no instance of a […]