3  definitions  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Entertainment  \En`ter*tain"ment\,  n.  [Cf.  OF  entretenement.] 
  1.  The  act  of  receiving  as  host,  or  of  amusing,  admitting,  or 
  cherishing;  hospitable  reception;  also  reception  or 
  treatment,  in  general. 
 
  The  entertainment  of  Christ  by  faith.  --Baxter. 
 
  The  sincere  entertainment  and  practice  of  the 
  precepts  of  the  gospel.  --Bp.  Sprat. 
 
  2.  That  which  entertains,  or  with  which  one  is  entertained; 
  as: 
  a  Hospitality;  hospitable  provision  for  the  wants  of  a 
  guest;  especially,  provision  for  the  table;  a 
  hospitable  repast;  a  feast;  a  formal  or  elegant  meal. 
  b  That  which  engages  the  attention  agreeably,  amuses  or 
  diverts,  whether  in  private,  as  by  conversation,  etc., 
  or  in  public,  by  performances  of  some  kind  amusement. 
 
  Theatrical  entertainments  conducted  with  greater 
  elegance  and  refinement.  --Prescott. 
 
  3.  Admission  into  service;  service. 
 
  Some  band  of  strangers  in  the  adversary's 
  entertainment.  --Shak. 
 
  4.  Payment  of  soldiers  or  servants;  wages.  [Obs.] 
 
  The  entertainment  of  the  general  upon  his  first 
  arrival  was  but  six  shillings  and  eight  pence.  --Sir 
  J.  Davies. 
 
  Syn:  Amusement;  diversion;  recreation;  pastime;  sport;  feast; 
  banquet;  repast;  carousal. 
 
  From  WordNet  r  1.6  [wn]: 
 
  entertainment 
  n  :  an  activity  that  entertains  [syn:  {amusement}] 
 
  From  THE  DEVIL'S  DICTIONARY  ((C)1911  Released  April  15  1993)  [devils]: 
 
  ENTERTAINMENT,  n.  Any  kind  of  amusement  whose  inroads  stop  short  of 
  death  by  injection. 
 
 

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