noun. One who converses learnedly at dinner: in allusion to the title (see the etymology) of a celebrated work of Athenæus, in which a number of learned men are represented as at dinner discoursing on literature and matters of the table.

noun. One of an ancient sect of philosophers, who cultivated learned conversation at meals.

noun. one of an ancient group of philosophers, who engaged in learned dialogue at meals

noun. a person skilled at informal, across-the-table small talk

noun. someone skilled at informal chitchat

"The word deipnosophist is derived from Greek elements meaning 'meal' and 'wise man,' so we can assume it means someone wise in mealtime conversation...it could also just mean a gastronome, but if you spout it at a dinner party, I guarantee no one will ask you to which meaning you refer... everyone else will silently be trying to figure out if you've insulted them or not."

conversationalist  conversationist  schmoozer