from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
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]