elder statesman
- an influential citizen, often a retired high official, whose advice is sought by government leaders.
- any influential member of a company, group, etc., whose advice is respected.
- Japanese History. any of the political leaders who retired from official office but continued to exert a strong influence in the government and who controlled the emperor's privy council, especially in the period 1898–1914.
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Origin of elder statesman
First recorded in 1900–05
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
elder statesman
- an old, experienced, and eminent person, esp a politician, whose advice is often sought
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Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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