entertain

verb

1. (transitive)to amuse (someone); to engage the attention of agreeably

   “to entertain friends with lively conversation”

   “The motivational speaker not only instructed but also entertained the audience.”

2. (intransitive, transitive)To have someone over at one's home, or some other venue, for a party or visit.

   “They enjoy entertaining a lot.”

   “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers[…]”

   “About 200 guests were invited and entertained to lunch in the so-called booking hall at Waterloo; the contractors, Spiers & Pond Limited, were much praised for organising the repast, with attendant cloak room facilities, so well in such unfavourable surroundings.”

3. (transitive)to receive and take into consideration; to have a thought in mind

   “The committee would like to entertain the idea of reducing the budget figures.”

   “to entertain a proposal”

   “I am not here going to entertain so large a theme as the philosophy of Locke.”

   “A rumour gained ground, — and, however absurd, was entertained by some very sensible people.”

4. (obsolete)to take or keep in one's service; to maintain; to support; to harbour; to keep

   “Intreat 'em fair, and give them friendly speech, And seem to them as if thy sins were great, Till thou hast gotten to be entertain'd.”

   “You, sir, I entertain for one of my hundred.”

5. (obsolete)to meet or encounter, as an enemy

   “O noble English, that could entertain with half their forces the full pride of France”

   “Penalty for entertaining a Deserter”

6. (obsolete)to lead on; to bring along; to introduce

   “to baptize all nations, and to entertain them into the services and institutions of the holy Jesus”

7. (India, Malaysia, Philippines, sometimes)to help; to assist; to answer a phone call

noun

1. (obsolete, uncountable)Entertainment; pleasure.

   “And Celſo, prethee let it be thy care to night / To haue ſome pretty ſhew, to ſolemnize / Our high inſtalement, ſome muſike maſkerie: / Weele giue faire entertaine vnto Maria […]”

2. (obsolete, uncountable)Reception of a guest; welcome.

   “But neede, that answers not to all requests, / Bad them not looke for better entertayne […]”