transitive verb

1. Archaic to keep up; maintain
2. to hold the interest of and give pleasure to; divert; amuse
3. to give hospitality to; have as a guest
4. to allow oneself to think about; have in mind; consider to entertain an idea

Etymology: ME entretinen < OFr entretenir, to maintain, hold together < entre (L inter), between + tenir < L tenere, to hold: see thin

intransitive verb