WordWeight : Weighing the Words

Pronunciation : En`ter*tain"
Part of Speech : v.
Etymology : [F. entretenir; entre between (L. inter) + tenir to hold, L. tenere. See Tenable.]
Definition : 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. Shak.

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. Shak.

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. I 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 sentiments.

7. To lead on; to bring along; to introduce. [Obs.] To baptize all nations, and entertain them into the services institutions of the holy Jesus. Jer. Taylor.

Syn. -- To amuse; divert; maintain. See Amuse.

t. [imp. & p. p. Entertained; p. pr. & vb. n. Entertaining.]
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913

Pronunciation : En`ter*tain"
Part of Speech : v.
Definition : Defn: To receive, or provide entertainment for, guests; as, he entertains generously.

i.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913

Pronunciation : En`ter*tain"
Part of Speech : n.
Etymology : [Cf. F. entretien, fr. entretenir.]
Definition : Defn: Entertainment. [Obs.] Spenser.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913