Entertain Verb

entertain [en-ter-teyn] Synonyms Examples Word Origin verb (used with object) 1. to hold the attention of pleasantly or agreeably; divert; amuse. 2. to have as a guest; provide food, lodging, etc., for; show hospitality to. 3. to admit into the mind; consider: He never entertained such ideas. 4. to hold in the mind; harbor; cherish: They secretly entertained thoughts of revenge. 5. Archaic. to maintain or keep up. 6. Obsolete. to give admittance or reception to; receive. verb (used without object) 7. to exercise hospitality; entertain company; provide entertainment for guests: They loved to talk, dance, and entertain. Origin late Middle English Middle French 1425-1475 1425-75; late Middle English entertenen to hold mutually < Middle French entretenir ≪ Vulgar Latin *intertenēre, equivalent to Latin inter- inter- + tenēre to hold Related forms overentertained, adjective preentertain, verb (used with object) unentertained, adjective well-entertained, adjective Synonyms 1. beguile, regale. See amuse. Antonyms 1. bore. 3. reject. Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2014. Cite This Source Examples from the web for entertain We are committed to presenting exhibits that will entertain and educate our local community and visitors from around the world. But this destination offers more than concerts to entertain its weekend visitors. Most writers try to amuse or entertain their correspondents. British Dictionary definitions for entertain entertain /ˌɛntəˈteɪn/ verb 1. to provide amusement for (a person or audience) 2. to show hospitality to (guests) 3. (transitive) to hold in the mind: to entertain an idea Word Origin C15: from Old French entretenir, from entre- mutually + tenir to hold, from Latin tenēre Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012 Cite This Source Word Origin and History for entertain v. late 15c., "to keep up, maintain, to keep (someone) in a certain frame of mind," from Middle French entretenir (12c.), from Old French entretenir "hold together, stick together, support," from entre- "among" (from Latin inter; see inter-) + tenir "to hold" (from Latin tenere; see tenet). Sense of "have a guest" is late 15c.; that of "amuse" is 1620s. Meaning "to allow (something) to consideration" (of opinions, notions, etc.) is 1610s. Related: Entertained; entertaining. Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper Cite This Source entertain in the Bible Entertainments, "feasts," were sometimes connected with a public festival (Deut. 16:11, 14), and accompanied by offerings (1 Sam. 9:13), in token of alliances (Gen. 26:30); sometimes in connection with domestic or social events, as at the weaning of children (Gen. 21:8), at weddings (Gen. 29:22; John 2:1), on birth-days (Matt. 14:6), at the time of sheep-shearing (2 Sam. 13:23), and of vintage (Judg. 9:27), and at funerals (2 Sam. 3:35; Jer. 16:7). The guests were invited by servants (Prov. 9:3; Matt. 22:3), who assigned them their respective places (1 Sam. 9:22; Luke 14:8; Mark 12:39). Like portions were sent by the master to each guest (1 Sam. 1:4; 2 Sam. 6:19), except when special honour was intended, when the portion was increased (Gen. 43:34). The Israelites were forbidden to attend heathenish sacrificial entertainments (Ex. 34:15), because these were in honour of false gods, and because at such feast they would be liable to partake of unclean flesh (1 Cor. 10:28). In the entertainments common in apostolic times among the Gentiles were frequent "revellings," against which Christians were warned (Rom. 13:13; Gal. 5:21; 1 Pet. 4:3). (See BANQUET.) Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary Cite This Source Discover our greatest slideshows 8 Tantalizing Terms for Eating Speak the Season: 7 Essential Words... 11 Wily Whiskers Let's Get Specific: 6 German words... Browse more topics on our blog What Is the Difference Between Discreet and Discrete? Learn the correct uses of these two commonly confused homophones. What Character Was Removed from the Alphabet? What mistaken pronunciation gave this character its name? Apostrophes 101 This small mark has two primary uses: to signify possession or omitted letters. How Do I Get a Word into the Dictionary? People invent new words all the time, but which ones actually make it? Word of the Day degust Difficulty index for entertain Many English speakers likely know this word Word Value for entertain 9 11 Scrabble Words With Friends Quotes with entertain The privacy of reading frees us to entertain the alien. Mason Cooley Hostesses who entertain much must make up their parties as ministers make up their cabinets, on... George Eliot (...) affection of which she has scarcely allowed herself to entertain a hope. Jane Austen More Quotes Related Words amuse regale banquet beguile busk chintzy Nearby words for entertain enterprise software enterprise systems connectivity enterprise zone enterpriser enterprising entertain entertainer entertaining entertainment enthalpy entheogen