deipnosophist

English

Etymology

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

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

Quotations

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