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Webster 1913 Edition

Entertainment

Enˊter-tain′ment

,
Noun.
[Cf. OF.
entretenement
.]
1.
The act of receiving as host, or of amusing, admitting, or cherishing; hospitable reception; also, reception or treatment, in general.
The
entertainment
of Christ by faith.
Baxter.
The sincere
entertainment
and practice of the precepts of the gospel.
Bp. Sprat.
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.
Theatrical
entertainments
conducted with greater elegance and refinement.
Prescott.
3.
Admission into service; service.
Some band of strangers in the adversary’s
entertainment
.
Shakespeare
4.
Payment of soldiers or servants; wages.
[Obs.]
Syn. – Amusement; diversion; recreation; pastime; sport; feast; banquet; repast; carousal.

Webster 1828 Edition

Entertainment

ENTERTA'INMENT

,
Noun.
The receiving and accommodating of guests, either with or without reward. The hospitable man delights in the entertainment of his friends.
1.
Provisions of the table; hence also, a feast; a superb dinner or supper.
2.
The amusement, pleasure or instruction, derived from conversation, discourse, argument, oratory, music, dramatic performances, &c.; the pleasure which the mind receives from any thing interesting, and which holds or arrests the attention. We often have rich entertainment, in the conversation of a learned friend.
3.
Reception; admission.
4.
The state of being in pay or service. [Not used.]
5.
Payment of those retained in service.
6.
That which entertains; that which serves for amusement; the lower comedy; farce.

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