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symposiarch

symposiarch

9.9
A person who leads a dinner, gives toasts and introduces speakers
  • noun
  • /sɪmˈpoʊziˌɑrk/
translation icon : simposiarca
  • He acted as the symposiarch, guiding the evening's discussions and ensuring everyone had a chance to speak.

Examples

  • At the wedding reception, the symposiarch welcomed the guests and introduced the first speaker.

  • There is no symposiarch or arbiter, not even a doorkeeper to examine credentials.

    Blog text (24)
  • There is no symposiarch or arbiter.

    Blog text (24)
  • As the symposiarch of the dinner, she proposed a toast to the bride and groom.

Synonyms

emcee
vssymposiarch
  • Informal
21 7.5

A person who hosts an event and introduces speakers or performers

focuses more on banquet presiding and proposing toasts
MC
vssymposiarch
  • Formal
16 6.5

A person who introduces speakers and keeps a formal event running

is centered on banquets and includes proposing toasts
presenter
vssymposiarch
  • Formal
11 3.2

A person who gives items or announces people at a ceremony

focuses on presiding duties and proposing toasts at banquets
master of ceremonies
vssymposiarch
  • Formal
6 4.2

A person who welcomes guests and introduces speakers at a formal event

is specific to banquets and includes proposing toasts
toastmaster
vssymposiarch
  • Formal
1 7.5

A person who introduces speakers and asks people to raise their glasses at a formal event

is identical in duties and role at banquets
presider
vssymposiarch
1 7.3

A person who leads a meeting, ceremony, or event

is specifically for banquets and includes proposing toasts
toast mistress
vssymposiarch
  • Formal
8.5

A woman who introduces speakers and keeps a formal event running smoothly

is the neutral or general form of the same role
to compere
vssymposiarch
  • UK
8.1

To act as a host at a show and introduce performers or speakers

applies specifically to banquets with ceremonial toasts and speakers
banqueter
vssymposiarch
6.3

A person who hosts a large formal meal for many guests

presides ceremonially and proposes toasts rather than only organizing

Surface Forms

symposiarch singular
symposiarchs plural

Morphology

symposiarch = symposium (semi-transparent) = symposi + arch

Formed by adding the learned combining suffix '-arch' (meaning 'ruler' or 'presiding person') to 'symposium'; the components indicate a leader of a symposium but '-arch' is a less familiar scholarly element and 'symposium' often denotes an academic meeting rather than a banquet.

Etymology

Symposiarch comes from the same root as symposium, which originally meant 'drinking together', and the ending -arch, as in monarch, means 'ruler' or 'leader'. So a symposiarch is the person who leads a dinner or banquet and gives the toasts.