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elder statesman

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR elder statesman ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

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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RELATED WORDS

elder, mentor, starets

Nearby words

  1. elche,
  2. eld,
  3. elder,
  4. elder brethren,
  5. elder edda,
  6. elder stateswoman,
  7. elderberry,
  8. eldercare,
  9. elderhostel,
  10. elderly

Origin of elder statesman

First recorded in 1900–05
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for elder statesman

elder statesman

noun

an old, experienced, and eminent person, esp a politician, whose advice is often sought
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012