deipnosophist

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Etymology 1.2 Noun 1.3 Quotations

[edit] English

[edit] Etymology

Greek [deipnosofisth's] [deipnon] a meal + [sofisth's] a wise man, sophist

[edit] Noun

deipnosophist (plural deipnosophists)

1. one of an ancient group of philosophers, who engaged in learned dialogue at meals
2. a person skilled at informal, across-the-table small talk

[edit] Quotations

• And the French consider themselves quite as elegant deipnosophists as Les Anglais. - 12/02/2007, The Times, Modern Manners column [1]