American Dictionary of the English Language

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Entertainment


ENTERTA'INMENT, noun The receiving and accommodating of guests, either with or without reward. The hospitable man delights in the entertainment of his friends.

1. Provisions of the table; hence also, a feast; a superb dinner or supper.

2. The amusement, pleasure or instruction, derived from conversation, discourse, argument, oratory, music, dramatic performances, etc.; the pleasure which the mind receives from any thing interesting, and which holds or arrests the attention. We often have rich entertainment in the conversation of a learned friend.

3. Reception; admission.

4. The state of being in pay or service. [Not used.]

5. Payment of those retained in service.

6. That which entertains; that which serves for amusement; the lower comedy; farce.