entertaining

Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

1.To be at the charges of; to take or keep in one's service; to maintain; to support; to harbor; to keep. [1913 Webster]

You, sir, I entertain for one of my hundred.— Shak.[1913 Webster]

2.To give hospitable reception and maintenance to; to receive at one's board, or into one's house; to receive as a guest. [1913 Webster]

Be not forgetful to entertain strangers; for thereby some have entertained unawares.— Heb. xiii. 2.[1913 Webster]

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. [1913 Webster]

The weary time she can not entertain.— Shak.[1913 Webster]

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. [1913 Webster]

I am not here going to entertain so large a theme as the philosophy of Locke.— De Quincey.[1913 Webster]

A rumor gained ground, -- and, however absurd, was entertained by some very sensible people.— Hawthorne.[1913 Webster]

5.To meet or encounter, as an enemy. [Obs.] --Shak. [1913 Webster]

6.To keep, hold, or maintain in the mind with favor; to keep in the mind; to harbor; to cherish; as, to entertain sentiments. [1913 Webster]

7.To lead on; to bring along; to introduce. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]

To baptize all nations, and entertain them into the services institutions of the holy Jesus.— Jer. Taylor.

Syn: To amuse; divert; maintain. See Amuse. [1913 Webster]