symposiast

Etymology

From the Ancient Greek συμποσιαστής (sumposiastḗs, “a fellow-drinker; a boon-companion”), from συμπόσιον (sumpósion), whence symposium.

symposiast means someone participating at a banquet or drinking party. Lexicurio rates it Sui generis — a strength score of 87 out of 100.

Why “symposiast” is a great word

SYMPOSIAST — [Noun] A participant in a symposium, especially one who contributes to its collaborative discourse. From the Ancient Greek συμποσιαστής (sumposiastḗs, "a fellow-drinker, boon-companion"), from συμπόσιον (sumpósion, "drinking party, symposium"). Unlike an "attendee" (a passive presence) or a "delegate" (a formal emissary with a mandate), a symposiast is a votary of dialogue, pledged to the collective elucidation of an idea. It is the low murmur of earnest debate in a lamplit room, the clink of a glass punctuating a metaphysical point, and the shared, silent recognition of a truth born in wine-stained talk—a momentary republic of minds, aware that the dawn will scatter its citizens.

noun

Someone participating at a banquet or drinking party.“Lady ――― is tolerably well, with two courses and a French cook. She has fitted up her lower rooms in a very pretty style, and there receives the shattered remains of the symposiasts of the house.”
A participant in a symposium.“I can begin to speak to some of these issues and to the charge given the symposiasts by referencing some of my own work which for more than a decade addressed issues in or on the edge of one major public policy debate.”