Entertain word meaning and definition

[verb] take into consideration, have in view; "He entertained the notion of moving to South America"
[verb] maintain; as of a theory, thoughts, or feelings; "bear a grudge"; "hold a grudge"
[verb] provide entertainment for

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

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