En`ter*tain", n. [Cf. F.
entretien, fr. entretenir.] Entertainment.
[Obs.] Spenser.
En`ter*tain" (?), v. i. To
receive, or provide entertainment for, guests; as, he
entertains generously.
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.
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.