entertain vb. (4 the current mod. meaning of ‘amuse’ does not emerge)
2.
to take into one's
service Gent. II. iv. 105,
Ado I. iii. 60
“e-ed for a
perfumer,”
R3 I. ii. 258, Cæs. V. v. 60.
3.
to treat Wiv. II. i. 88,
Shr. II. i. 245
“with mildness e-'st thy
wooers,”
1H6 I. iv. 38, Lr. I. iv. 63.
4.
to engage a person's
attention or thoughts
Wiv. II. i. 68
“to him with
hope,”
Wint. IV. iii. [iv.] 53
“to them sprightly”;
to discourse with Tp. IV. i.
75.
5.
to occupy, while away
(time) Lucr. 1361.
6.
to engage (an enemy)
H5 I. ii. 111.
7.
to receive
Err. III. i. 120
“Since mine own doors
refuse to
me,”
AYL. III. ii. 443,
R3 I. iv. 136
“there's few or none
will
it”
(viz. conscience),
Tim. I. ii. 194
“let the presents Be
worthily entertain'”
