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… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
entertain — [v1] amuse absorb, beguile, captivate, charm, cheer, comfort, crack up*, delight, distract, divert, ecstasize, elate, engross, enliven, enthrall, gladden, grab, gratify, humor, indulge, inspire, inspirit, interest, knock dead*, make merry, occupy … New thesaurus
entertain — [ent΄ər tān′] vt. [ME entretinen < OFr entretenir, to maintain, hold together < entre (L inter), between + tenir < L tenere, to hold: see THIN] 1. Archaic to keep up; maintain 2. to hold the interest of and give pleasure to; divert;… … English World dictionary
Entertain — En ter*tain , v. i. To receive, or provide entertainment for, guests; as, he entertains generously. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Entertain — En ter*tain , n. [Cf. F. entretien, fr. entretenir.] Entertainment. [Obs.] Spenser. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
entertain — index engage (involve), interest, occupy (engage), receive (permit to enter), treat (process) … Law dictionary
entertain — UK US /ˌentəˈteɪn/ verb [I or T] ► to take customers or possible customers out to restaurants, bars, theatres, etc. as a way of encouraging them to do business with you: »Employees can use their expense accounts for entertaining a client … Financial and business terms
entertain — late 15c., to keep up, maintain, to keep (someone) in a certain frame of mind, from M.Fr. entretenir (12c.), from O.Fr. entretenir hold together, stick together, support, from entre among (from L. inter; see INTER (Cf. inter )) + tenir to hold… … Etymology dictionary
entertain — 1 *harbor, shelter, lodge, house, board Analogous words: *receive, admit: cultivate, cherish, foster (see NURSE): *feed, nourish 2 divert, *amuse, recreate Analogous words: * … New Dictionary of Synonyms
entertain — ► VERB 1) provide with amusement or enjoyment. 2) show hospitality to. 3) give attention or consideration to. ORIGIN originally in the sense «maintain, continue»: from French entretenir, from Latin tenere to hold … English terms dictionary
entertain — [[t]e̱ntə(r)te͟ɪn[/t]] ♦♦♦ entertains, entertaining, entertained 1) VERB If a performer, performance, or activity entertains you, it amuses you, interests you, or gives you pleasure. [V n] ...games and ideas to entertain children... [V n] They… … English dictionary
