entertain

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English

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Alternative forms

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Etymology

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From Middle English entertenen, from Middle French entretenir, from Old French entretenir, from entre (among) + tenir (to hold), from Latin inter + teneō (hold, keep). For the noun, compare French entretien.

Pronunciation

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Verb

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entertain (third-person singular simple present entertains, present participle entertaining, simple past and past participle entertained)

  1. (transitive) to amuse (someone); to engage the attention of agreeably
    to entertain friends with lively conversation
    The motivational speaker not only instructed but also entertained the audience.
  2. (transitive and intransitive) to have someone over at one's home for a party or visit
    They enjoy entertaining a lot.
  3. (transitive) to receive and take into consideration; to have a thought in mind
    The committee would like to entertain the idea of reducing the budget figures.
    to entertain a proposal
  4. (obsolete) to take or keep in one's service; to maintain; to support; to harbour; to keep
  5. (obsolete) to meet or encounter, as an enemy
    • 1599 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Life of Henry the Fift”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies [] (First Folio), London: [] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene ii]:
      O noble English, that could entertain with half their forces the full pride of France
    • 1860, British Parliament, Naval Discipline Act[1], page 1069:
      Penalty for entertaining a Deserter
  6. (obsolete) to lead on; to bring along; to introduce
    • 1651–1653, Jer[emy] Taylor, ΕΝΙΑΥΤΟΣ [Eniautos]. A Course of Sermons for All the Sundays of the Year. [], 2nd edition, London: [] Richard Royston [], published 1655, →OCLC:
      to baptize all nations, and to entertain them into the services and institutions of the holy Jesus
  7. (Philippines, business) to help; to assist

Derived terms

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Translations

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The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables. See instructions at Wiktionary:Entry layout § Translations.

Noun

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entertain (uncountable)

  1. (obsolete) Entertainment; pleasure.
  2. (obsolete) Reception of a guest; welcome.

Alternative forms

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Further reading

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Anagrams

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