entertain

en·ter·tain  (ntr-tn)

v. en·ter·tained, en·ter·tain·ing, en·ter·tains

v.tr.

1. To hold the attention of with something amusing or diverting. See Synonyms at amuse.

2. To extend hospitality toward: entertain friends at dinner.

3.

a. To consider; contemplate: entertain an idea.

b. To hold in mind; harbor: entertained few illusions.

4. Archaic To continue with; maintain.

5. Obsolete To employ; hire.

6. To give admittance to; receive.

v.intr.

1. To show hospitality to guests.

2. To provide entertainment.

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[Middle English entertinen, to maintain, from Old French entretenir, from Medieval Latin intertenre : Latin inter, among; see inter- + Latin tenre, to hold; see ten- in Indo-European roots.]

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enter·tainer n.

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entertain

Verb

1. to provide amusement for (a person or audience)

2. to show hospitality to (guests)

3. to consider (an idea or suggestion) [Old French entre- mutually + tenir to hold]

Thesaurus

Verb	1.	entertain - provide entertainment for host - be the host of or for; "We hosted 4 couples last night" socialise, socialize - take part in social activities; interact with others; "He never socializes with his colleagues"; "The old man hates to socialize" amuse, disport, divert - occupy in an agreeable, entertaining or pleasant fashion; "The play amused the ladies"
	2.	entertain - take into consideration, have in view; "He entertained the notion of moving to South America" flirt with, toy with, think about, think of contemplate - consider as a possibility; "I contemplated leaving school and taking a full-time job"
	3.	entertain - maintain (a theory, thoughts, or feelings); "bear a grudge"; "entertain interesting notions"; "harbor a resentment" harbor, nurse, harbour, hold feel, experience - undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind; "She felt resentful"; "He felt regret"

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entertain

verb 1. amuse, interest, please, delight, occupy, charm, enthral, cheer, divert, recreate (rare) regale, give pleasure to

verb 2. show hospitality to, receive, accommodate, treat, put up, lodge, be host to, have company of, invite round, ask round, invite to a meal, ask for a meal

verb 3. consider, support, maintain, imagine, think about, hold, foster, harbour, contemplate, conceive of, ponder, cherish, bear in mind, keep in mind, think over, muse over, give thought to, cogitate on, allow yourself to consider

Translations

entertain [ɛntəˈteɪn] vt (= amuse) → divertir (= receive) [+ guest] → recibir (en casa) [+ idea]; abrigar

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entertain [ɛntəˈteɪn] vt → amuser, distraire (= invite); recevoir (à dîner) [+ idea, plan]; envisager

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entertain [ɛntəˈteɪn] vt → unterhalten;

(invite) → einladen;

(idea, plan) → erwägen

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entertain [ɛntəˈteɪn] vt → divertire (= invite); ricevere [+ idea, plan]; nutrire