v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Entertained p. pr. & vb. n. Entertaining. ] [ F. entretenir; entre between (L. inter) + tenir to hold, L. tenere. See Tenable. ] 1. To be at the charges of; to take or keep in one's service; to maintain; to support; to harbor; to keep. [ 1913 Webster ]

You, sir, I entertain for one of my hundred. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To give hospitable reception and maintenance to; to receive at one's board, or into one's house; to receive as a guest. [ 1913 Webster ]

Be not forgetful to entertain strangers; for thereby some have entertained unawares. Heb. xiii. 2. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To engage the attention of agreeably; to amuse with that which makes the time pass pleasantly; to divert; as, to entertain friends with conversation, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

The weary time she can not entertain. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. To give reception to; to receive, in general; to receive and take into consideration; to admit, treat, or make use of; as, to entertain a proposal. [ 1913 Webster ]

I am not here going to entertain so large a theme as the philosophy of Locke. De Quincey. [ 1913 Webster ]

A rumor gained ground, -- and, however absurd, was entertained by some very sensible people. Hawthorne. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. To meet or encounter, as an enemy. [ Obs. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. To keep, hold, or maintain in the mind with favor; to keep in the mind; to harbor; to cherish; as, to entertain sentiments. [ 1913 Webster ]

7. To lead on; to bring along; to introduce. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

To baptize all nations, and entertain them into the services institutions of the holy Jesus. Jer. Taylor.

Syn. -- To amuse; divert; maintain. See Amuse. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. entretien, fr. entretenir. ] Entertainment. [ Obs. ] Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To receive, or provide entertainment for, guests; as, he entertains generously. [ 1913 Webster ]

adj. p. p. of entertain.
Syn. -- amused, diverted. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. 1. One who entertains; a host. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. one who amuses people, such as a singer, dancer, comedian, magician, etc., especially one who does so as a profession. [ PJC ]

a. Affording entertainment; pleasing; amusing; diverting. -- En`ter*tain"ing*ly, adv. -- En`ter*tain"ing*ness, n. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. OF. entretenement. ] 1. The act of receiving as host, or of amusing, admitting, or cherishing; hospitable reception; also, reception or treatment, in general. [ 1913 Webster ]

The entertainment of Christ by faith. Baxter. [ 1913 Webster ]

The sincere entertainment and practice of the precepts of the gospel. Bp. Sprat. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. That which entertains, or with which one is entertained; as: (a) Hospitality; hospitable provision for the wants of a guest; especially, provision for the table; a hospitable repast; a feast; a formal or elegant meal. (b) That which engages the attention agreeably, amuses or diverts, whether in private, as by conversation, etc., or in public, by performances of some kind; amusement. [ 1913 Webster ]

Theatrical entertainments conducted with greater elegance and refinement. Prescott. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Admission into service; service. [ 1913 Webster ]

Some band of strangers in the adversary's entertainment. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Payment of soldiers or servants; wages. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

The entertainment of the general upon his first arrival was but six shillings and eight pence. Sir J. Davies.

Syn. -- Amusement; diversion; recreation; pastime; sport; feast; banquet; repast; carousal. [ 1913 Webster ]