- Entertaining
- 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}.]
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]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
