deipnosophist
[dahyp-nos-uh-fist]
- a person who is an adept conversationalist at table.
Show More
Origin of deipnosophist
1650–60; after a literary work by Athenaeus, Deipnosophistḗs, an expert in affairs of the kitchen, equivalent to Greek deîpno(n) meal + sophistḗs sophist
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for deipnosophist
Historical Examples
I'll apologize, Wilks, for the deipnosophist part of it, but I'll be jiggered if I'll be responsible for your nasty gastronomy.
Two KnapsacksJohn Campbell
deipnosophist
- rare a person who is a master of dinner-table conversation
Show More
Word Origin
C17: from Greek deipnosophistai, title of a Greek work by Athenaeus (3rd century), describing learned discussions at a banquet, from deipnon meal + sophistai wise men; see sophist
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
Word Origin and History for deipnosophist
n.
"gourmand," 1650s, from Greek deipnosophistes "one learned in the mysteries of the kitchen," from deipnon "chief meal, dinner" (of unknown origin) + sophistes "master of a craft" (see sophist). the word has come down thanks to "Deipnosophistai," 3c. work on gastronomy by Athenaeus.
Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper