entertain Meaning, Definition & Usage

verb provide entertainment for
verb take into consideration, have in view
think of; think about; flirt with; toy with.
- He entertained the notion of moving to South America
verb maintain (a theory, thoughts, or feelings)
harbor; nurse; hold; harbour.
- bear a grudge
- entertain interesting notions
- harbor a resentment

F. entretenir; entre between (L. inter) + tenir to hold, L. tenere. See Tenable.

imperfect & past participle Entertained ; present participle & verbal noun Entertaining

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.
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.
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.
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.
To meet or encounter, as an enemy. Obs. Shak.
To keep, hold, or maintain in the mind with favor; to keep in the mind; to harbor; to cherish; as, to entertain sentiments.
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.

Cf. F. entretien, fr. entretenir.