n.
Pronunciation: sim- ' p ō -z ē - ə m also -zh( ē -) ə m
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural -sia \ -z ē - ə , -zh( ē -) ə \ or -siums
Etymology: Latin, from Greek symposion, from sympinein to drink together, from syn- + pinein to drink ― more at POTABLE
Date: 1711
1 a : a convivial party (as after a banquet in ancient Greece) with music and conversation b : a social gathering at which there is free interchange of ideas
2 a : a formal meeting at which several specialists deliver short addresses on a topic or on related topics ― compare COLLOQUIUM b : a collection of opinions on a subject especially : one published by a periodical c : DISCUSSION