entertain English · revision 16153

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=c. 1452, Paston Letters|origins=la teneō}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˌɛntəˈteɪn/ ''(UK)''; /ˌɛntɚˈteɪn/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|entertinen]], [[bor|frm|entretenir|t=to hold together, maintain]],^(AHD 2024)^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 2026) from [[m|fro|entre-|t=among, mutually]] and [[m|fro|tenir|t=to hold]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Collins 2023) from [[la|inter|t=among]] and [[m|la|teneō|t=to hold]],^(AHD 2024)^(SOED 2002) from [[ine-pro|*ten-|t=to stretch]].^(Etymonline)^(AHD 2024)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ To keep up or maintain something, a state or practice: about 1452, in the Paston Letters;^(OED 2026) Barnhart dates ''entertienen'', to maintain, to about 1475, in Caxton.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Its early senses were maintaining: keeping something in working order (1477), keeping someone in a certain state of mind (1490), supporting with money (1559) and keeping in one's service (1549).^(OED 2026)^(Hoad 1986) Receiving someone as a guest is from 1490, also in Caxton.^(OED 2026)^(Barnhart 1988) Holding the attention of, amusing, is from 1626,^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) and admitting an idea into the mind, considering it, from the 16th century.^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) Hoad dates ''[[entertainment]]'' as a meal or amusement to the 17th century, and as a public performance to the 18th.^(Hoad 1986)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1452 – to maintain, keep up.^(OED 2026)

+ * 1490 – to receive as a guest.^(OED 2026)^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1531 – ''entertainment''.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1626 – to amuse.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1693 – to host guests (intransitive).^(OED 2026)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To provide [[amusement]] or enjoyment for someone.^(AHD 2024)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To receive someone as a guest; to show [[hospitality]].^(AHD 2024)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To consider or hold in the mind: ''to entertain an idea''.^(AHD 2024)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(archaic)'' To keep up or maintain.^(MWU 2024)^(OED 2026)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[entertainer]]

+ * [[entertaining]]

+ * [[entertainment]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[maintain]]

+ * [[contain]]

+ * [[tenant]]

+ * [[retain]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}