En·ter·tain v. t. [imp. & p. p. Entertained p. pr. & vb. n. Entertaining.]
 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.
 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.
 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.
 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.
 5. To meet or encounter, as an enemy. [Obs.]
 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. [Obs.]
    To baptize all nations, and entertain them into the services institutions of the holy Jesus.   --Jer. Taylor.
 Syn: -- To amuse; divert; maintain. See Amuse.
 entertained
      adj : pleasantly occupied; "We are not amused" -Queen Victoria
            [syn: amused, diverted]