Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Entertain
Enˊter-tain′
,Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Entertained
; p. pr. & vb. n.
Entertaining
.] 1.
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. Shakespeare
2.
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. Heb. xiii. 2.
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
. Shakespeare
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 proposalI am not here going to
entertain
so large a theme as the philosophy of Locke. De Quincey.
A rumor gained ground, – and, however absurd, was
entertained
by some very sensible people. Hawthorne.
5.
To meet or encounter, as an enemy.
[Obs.]
Shak.
6.
To keep, hold, or maintain in the mind with favor; to keep in the mind; to harbor; to cherish;
as, to
. entertain
sentimentsEnˊter-tain′
,Verb.
I.
To receive, or provide entertainment for, guests;
as, he
. entertains
generouslyEnˊter-tain′
,Noun.
[Cf. F.
entretien
, fr. entretenir
.] Entertainment.
[Obs.]
Spenser.
Webster 1828 Edition
Entertain
ENTERTA'IN
,Verb.
T.
1.
To receive into the house and treat with hospitality, either at the table only, or with lodging also.Be not forgetful to entertain strangers; for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Heb.13.
2.
To treat with conversation; to amuse or instruct by discourse; properly, to engage the attention and retain the company of one, by agreeable conversation, discourse or argument. The advocate entertained his audience an hour, with sound argument and brilliant displays of eloquence.3.
To keep in one's service; to maintain. He entertained ten domestics.You, sir, I entertain for one of my hundred.
[This original and French sense is obsolete or little used.]
4.
To keep, hold or maintain in the mind with favor; to reserve in the mind; to harbor; to cherish. Let us entertain the most exalted views of the Divine character. It is our duty to entertain charitable sentiments towards our fellow men.5.
To maintain; to support; as, to entertain a hospital.6.
To please; to amuse; to divert. David entertained himself with the meditation of God's law. Idle men entertain themselves with trifles.7.
To treat; to supply with provisions and liquors, or with provisions and lodging, for reward. The innkeeper entertains a great deal of company.ENTERTA'IN
,Noun.