term:

Sovereign

sovereign

also
sov·ran
[-vrən]

n
: a person or political entity (as a nation or state) possessing or held to possess sovereignty [a controversy between two s…the United States on the one hand and the State of California on the other "U.S. Code"] see also sovereign immunity at immunity

also
sovran

adj
1 : possessed of supreme power [a ruler]
2 : enjoying autonomy [ states]
3 : relating to, characteristic of, or befitting a sovereign

Source: Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law ©1996. Merriam-Webster, Incorporated. Published under license with Merriam-Webster, Incorporated.