Etymology : Middle English entertinen, from Middle French entretenir, from entre- inter- + tenir to hold; more at TENABLE
Pronunciation : "en-t&r-tAn
Function : verb
Date : 15th century
1. interest, amuse; host; hold or maintain in the mind (i.e. a feeling). entertain\en`ter*tain"\ , v. i. to receive, or provide entertainment for, guests; as, he entertains generously.entertain \en`ter*tain"\, n. [cf. f. entretien, fr. entretenir.] entertainment. [obs.]entertain \en`ter*tain"\ , v. t. [imp. & p. p. entertained ; p. pr. & vb. n. entertaining.] [f. entretenir; entre between (l. inter) + tenir to hold, l. tenere. see:
tenable.].
2. to be at the charges of; to take or keep in one's service; to maintain; to support; to harbor; to keep. you, sir, i entertain for one of my hundred.
3. to give hospitable reception and maintenance to; to receive at one's board, or into one's house; to receive as a guest. be not forgetful to entertain strangers; for thereby some have entertained unawares. xiii.
4. 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. the weary time she can not entertain.
5. 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. i am not here going to entertain so large a theme as the philosophy of locke. a rumor gained ground, -- and, however absurd, was entertained by some very sensible people.
6. to meet or encounter, as an enemy. [obs.].
7. to keep, hold, or maintain in the mind with favor; to keep in the mind; to harbor; to cherish; as, to entertain sentiments.
8. to lead on; to bring along; to introduce. [obs.] to baptize all nations, and entertain them into the services institutions of the holy jesus. taylor.
9. To be at the charges of; to take or keep in one's service; to maintain; to support; to harbor; to keep.
10. To give hospitable reception and maintenance to; to receive at one's board, or into one's house; to receive as a guest.
11. 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.
12. 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.
13. To meet or encounter, as an enemy.
14. To keep, hold, or maintain in the mind with favor; to keep in the mind; to harbor; to cherish; as, to entertain sentiments.
15. To lead on; to bring along; to introduce.
16. To receive, or provide entertainment for, guests; as, he entertains generously.
17. Entertainment. take into consideration, have in view; "He entertained the notion of moving to South America".
18. 1. If a performer, performance, or activity entertains you, it amuses you, interests you, or gives you pleasure. They were entertained by top singers, dancers and celebrities Children's television not only entertains but also teaches. + entertaining en·ter·tain·ing To generate new money the sport needs to be more entertaining This is a surprisingly entertaining film.
19. If you entertain people, you provide food and drink for them, for example when you have invited them to your house. I don't like to entertain guests anymore The Monroes continued to entertain extravagantly. + entertaining en·ter·tain·ing a cosy area for entertaining and relaxing.
20. If you entertain an idea or suggestion, you allow yourself to consider it as possible or as worth thinking about seriously. I feel how foolish I am to entertain doubts I wouldn't entertain the idea of such an unsociable job.