ˈstātsmən noun
( plural statesmen )
Etymology: state's (genitive of state ) (I) + man
1.
a. : one versed in the principles or art of government : politician ; especially : one actively engaged in conducting the business of a government or in shaping its policies
an assembly of the statesmen of many nations
b. : one who exercises leadership wisely and without narrow partisanship in the general interest
unhappily the republic was subject to men who were mere demagogues and in no sense statesmen — T.B.Macaulay
the statesman differs from the ordinary politician in that he is able to envisage and inspire support for policies that are in the long run, best interests of the most people — J.H.Hallowell
one of the academic statesmen of his era — N.M.Pusey
2. dialect England : a countryman who owns and farms his own land