- 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.
- 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.
- an old, experienced, and eminent person, esp a politician, whose advice is often sought
