1. (v. t.) To be at the charges of; to take or keep in one's service; to maintain; to support; to harbor; to keep.

2. (v. t.) To give hospitable reception and maintenance to; to receive at one's board, or into one's house; to receive as a guest.

3. (v. t.) 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.

4. (v. t.) 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.

5. (v. t.) To meet or encounter, as an enemy.

6. (v. t.) To keep, hold, or maintain in the mind with favor; to keep in the mind; to harbor; to cherish; as, to entertain sentiments.

7. (v. t.) To lead on; to bring along; to introduce.

8. (v. i.) To receive, or provide entertainment for, guests; as, he entertains generously.

9. (n.) Entertainment.

accommodate admit allow amuse amusement bear beguile bestow billet board bosom cater to cherish cling to clip consider contemplate convulse cultivate delight disport dissipation distraction diversion divert divertissement do the honors domicile embosom embrace enjoyment enliven entertain guests entertainment exhilarate feed fondle foster fracture one gaiety give a party gladden gratify guest harbor have have and hold hold hold on to host house hug inquire into invite keep kill knock dead lodge loosen up maintain nourish nurse nurture occupy play please pleasure preside put up quarter raise a laugh raise a smile receive recreate recreation refresh regale rejoice relax relaxation relief room see about slay sleep upon solace sport support sustain take under advisement take under consideration think it over throw a party tickle titillate tolerate treasure treasure up treat wow