Illustrated Companion to the Latin Dictionary/Symposium

This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Rich, Anthony (1849). The illustrated companion to the Latin dictionary, and Greek lexicon. p. vi. OCLC 894670115. https://archive.org/details/illustratedcompa00rich. 

SYMPOS'IUM (συμπόσιον). A Greek word, and properly descriptive of the manners of that people. (Cic. Fam. ix. 24.) It signifies a wine-party or drinking-bout, which took place after the meal, and to which other guests besides those who partook of the dinner were frequently invited to come and join the convivial part of the entertainment. At these parties, the company of dancing and singing girls, as well as drinking to a considerable extent, was indulged in by the youth of Greece. Becker, Charicles, Excurs. ii.