01 v. t. To be at the charges of; to take or keep in one's service; to maintain; to support; to harbor; to keep.
imp. & p. p.
Entertained; p. pr. & vb. n.
Entertaining
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1.
To be at the charges of; to take or keep in one's service; to maintain; to support; to harbor; to keep.“You, sir, I entertain for one of my hundred.” — Shak.
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2.
To give hospitable reception and maintenance to; to receive at one's board, or into one's house; to receive as a guest.“Be not forgetful to entertain strangers; for thereby some have entertained unawares.” — Heb. xiii. 2.
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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.“The weary time she can not entertain.” — Shak.
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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.“I am not here going to entertain so large a theme as the philosophy of Locke.” — De Quincey.“A rumor gained ground, -- and, however absurd, was entertained by some very sensible people.” — Hawthorne.
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5.
To meet or encounter, as an enemy.[Obs.]
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6.
To keep, hold, or maintain in the mind with favor; to keep in the mind; to harbor; to cherish; as, to entertain sentiments.
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7.
To lead on; to bring along; to introduce.[Obs.]“To baptize all nations, and entertain them into the services institutions of the holy Jesus.” — Jer. Taylor.