v. t. | 1. | To be at the charges of; to take or keep in one's service; to maintain; to support; to harbor; to keep. |
| 2. | To give hospitable reception and maintenance to; to receive at one's board, or into one's house; to receive as a guest. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 5. | To meet or encounter, as an enemy. |
| 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. |
v. i. | 1. | To receive, or provide entertainment for, guests; as, he entertains generously. |
n. | 1. | Entertainment. |