Emily Dickinson Lexicon
Definition for EN-TER-TAIN'
EN-TER-TAIN', v.t. [Fr. entretenir; entre, in or between, and tenir, to hold, L. teneo.]
- To receive into the house, and treat with hospitality, either at the table only, or with lodging also. Be not forgetful to entertain strangers; for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Heb. xiii.
- To treat with conversation; to amuse or instruct by discourse; properly, to engage the attention and retain the company of one, by agreeable conversation, discourse or argument. The advocate entertained his audience an hour, with sound argument and brilliant displays of eloquence.
- To keep in one's service; to maintain; as, he entertained ten domestics. You, sir, I entertain for one of my hundred. Shak. [This original and French sense is obsolete or little used.]
- To keep, hold or maintain in the mind with favor; to reserve in the mind; to harbor; to cherish. Let us entertain the most exalted views of the Divine character. It is our duty to entertain charitable sentiments toward our fellow men.
- To maintain; to support; as, to entertain a hospital. [Obs.]
- To please; to amuse; to divert. David entertained himself with the meditation of God's law. Idle men entertain themselves with trifles.
- To treat; to supply with provisions and liquors, or with provisions and lodging, for reward. The innkeeper entertains a great deal of company.
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