en|ter|tain

en|ter|tain
en|ter|tain «EHN tuhr TAYN», transitive verb.
1. to keep pleasantly interested; please or amuse: »

The circus entertained the children.

SYNONYM(S): divert, beguile, delight. See syn. under amuse. (Cf. ↑amuse)
2. to have as a guest: »

She entertained ten people at dinner.

3. to take into the mind; consider: »

I refuse to entertain such a foolish idea.

SYNONYM(S): harbor.
4. to hold in the mind; maintain: »

Even after failing twice, we still entertained a hope of success. We had always entertained the kindest feelings toward his family.

5. Archaic. to maintain; keep up.
6. Obsolete. to take into or retain (a person) in one's service.
–v.i.
to have guests; provide entertainment for guests: »

She entertains a great deal.

╂[< Old French entretenir < entre- among (< Latin in-ter-) + tenir hold < Latin tenēre]

Useful english dictionary. 2012.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • en|ter|tain|er — «EHN tuhr TAY nuhr», noun. 1. a person who entertains: »The people next door are great entertainers; they are always having a party. 2. a singer, musician, actor, dancer, or other performer before the public, especially as a profession …   Useful english dictionary

  • en´ter|tain´ing|ness — en|ter|tain|ing «EHN tuhr TAY nihng», adjective. interesting, pleasing, or amusing: »The explorer told many entertaining tales of his experiences. –en´ter|tain´ing|ly, adverb. –en´ter|tain´ing|ness, noun …   Useful english dictionary

  • en´ter|tain´ing|ly — en|ter|tain|ing «EHN tuhr TAY nihng», adjective. interesting, pleasing, or amusing: »The explorer told many entertaining tales of his experiences. –en´ter|tain´ing|ly, adverb. –en´ter|tain´ing|ness, noun …   Useful english dictionary

  • en|ter|tain|ing — «EHN tuhr TAY nihng», adjective. interesting, pleasing, or amusing: »The explorer told many entertaining tales of his experiences. –en´ter|tain´ing|ly, adverb. –en´ter|tain´ing|ness, noun …   Useful english dictionary

  • en|ter|tain|a|ble — «EHN tuhr TAY nuh buhl», adjective. that can be entertained …   Useful english dictionary

  • en|ter|tain|ment — «EHN tuhr TAYN muhnt», noun. 1. something that interests, pleases, or amuses. A show or a circus is an entertainment. SYNONYM(S): amusement, diversion, recreation, pastime. 2. the act of entertaining: »The hostess devoted herself to the… …   Useful english dictionary

  • un|en|ter|tain|ing — «UHN ehn tuhr TAY nihng», adjective. not entertaining or amusing …   Useful english dictionary

  • ter — ter; ter·a·con·ic; ter·a·cryl·ic; ter·a·glin; ter·aph; ter·as; ter·a·tism; ter·a·to·genesis; ter·a·to·gen·ic; ter·a·to·log·i·cal; ter·a·tol·o·gist; ter·a·tol·o·gy; ter·a·to·ma; ter·a·to·sis; ter·bi·um; ter·centennial; ter·centesimal; ter·ce·ron;… …   English syllables

  • en·ter·tain·er — /ˌɛntɚˈteınɚ/ noun, pl ers [count] : a person (such as a singer, an actor, or a comedian) who entertains other people : a professional performer a singer regarded as one of the great entertainers of our time …   Useful english dictionary

  • tain — ap·per·tain; as·cer·tain; as·cer·tain·a·ble; as·cer·tain·ment; at·tain; at·tain·a·bil·i·ty; at·tain·a·ble; at·tain·a·ble·ness; at·tain·der; at·tain·ment; cap·tain·cy; cap·tain·ess; cap·tain·ly; cap·tain·ry; cap·tain·ship; cer·tain·ly;… …   English syllables

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