entertainmentn.

Brit.

/ˌɛntəˈteɪnm(ə)nt/, U.S.

/ˌɛn(t)ərˈteɪnmənt/

Forms: see entertain v. and -ment suffix.

Origin: Of multiple origins. Partly a borrowing from French. Partly formed within English, by derivation. Etymons: French entretenement , entretiennement ; entertain v., -ment suffix.

Etymology: Partly (i) < Anglo-Norman and Middle French entretenement, Middle French entretiennement harbouring or nurturing of an emotion or desire (late 14th cent.), provision for the material needs of a person or place (early 15th cent.), action of upholding something (early 15th cent.), manner of behaviour towards others (late 15th cent.) < entretenir entertain v. + -ment -ment suffix, and partly (ii) < entertain v. + -ment suffix.Compare post-classical Latin intertenementum (1510, 1512 in British (Scottish) sources; < French).

†I. Maintenance, support.

a. Provision for the material or financial needs of a person, animal, place, etc.; maintenance, support; sustenance. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > possession > supply > [noun] > provision of means of support or livelihood

substancec1384

maintenance1389

sustenance1389

sustentation1389

sustaining1395

findingc1400

uphold1439

retainment1449

exhibition?a1475

entertainment?c1475

upholdingc1480

entertaininga1492

sustenation1496

support1561

alimentation1590

alimony1622

enablement1626

subsisting1698

keep1801

life support1852

palimony1977

?c1475 ( in J. Stevenson Lett. & Papers Illustr. Wars Eng. in France (1864) II. 586 The somme of xx.m. l. of the kingis finaunce and revenue out of Englond for thentretenement and seuerte, defence, and sauvegarde of that lande of Fraunce and of Normandie.

1529 S. Gardiner Let. 12 Aug. (1933) 29 Such money as his Highnes geveth them [sc. the Earl of Angus and his uncle] for ther entertenement.

1598 I. D. tr. L. Le Roy Aristotles Politiques i. iii. 22 A facultie of getting and obtaining goods seruing for the maintenance and entertainement of the family and of the Cittie.

1621 Knolles's Gen. Hist. Turkes (ed. 3) 1391 Lands for the intertainement of them and their horses.

1692 J. Ray Misc. Disc. Dissolution World v. 166 Most convenient for the entertainment of the various sorts of Animals.

1705 G. Stanhope Paraphr. III. 468 Creatures..designed for the Service and Entertainment of Mankind.

1754 J. Erskine Princ. Law Scotl. I. i. vii. 83 The expences laid out upon the minor's entertainment.

1761 D. Hume Hist. Eng. III. 71 James..erected a college at Chelsea for the entertainment of twenty persons.

b. spec. In plural and singular. Financial provision for the payment of people in one's employment or service (esp. in the military); pay, wages. Obsolete (historical in later use).

ΘΚΠ

society > trade and finance > fees and taxes > payment for labour or service > [noun]

hirec1000

shipec1000

shipingc1275

servicec1300

soldc1330

wage1338

payment1370

reward1371

pay?a1400

mercedec1400

remunerationc1400

souldie1474

emolument1480

soldery1502

stipend?1518

entertainment1535

task-money1593

consideration1607

gratuitya1637

wadage1679

addling1757

solde1852

treatment1852

screw1853

time1877

money1887

wage payment1923

1535–6 Act 27 Henry VIII c. 11 §1 in Statutes of Realm (1963) III. 542 The Kynges Clerkys..havyng for their intertaynmentes and theyr clerkes no fees nor wages certayn for those offyces.

a1599 E. Spenser View State Ireland in J. Ware Two Hist. Ireland (1633) 89 The which eighteene thousand pounds will defray the entertainment of 1500. Souldiers.

1612 J. Davies Discouerie Causes Ireland 32 The earle of Staffords entertainment, was for himselfe vi s. viijd. per diem.

a1684 J. Evelyn Diary anno 1682 (1955) IV. 270 The Governor, Chaplaine, Steward,..& other Officers, with their severall salaries & entertainements.

1709 J. Strype Ann. Reformation Introd. ii. 16 Granting him 20s. a day..towards the entertainment of an hundred horsemen serving there under him.

1787 G. Chalmers in J. Davies Hist. Tracts 27 Serve him in his wars with certain numbers of men, for certain wages and entertainments.

c. The action or fact of having or keeping someone in one's employment or service, or of taking someone into employment or service. Also: the state or fact of being in employment or service. Cf. entertain v. 3, 11. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

society > occupation and work > [noun] > regular occupation, trade, or profession

workeOE

mysteryc1390

facultyc1405

business1477

industrya1500

roomc1500

trade1525

pursuit1529

function1533

calling1539

profession?1552

vocation1553

entertainment1568

station1574

qualitya1586

employment1598

way of lifea1616

state1625

cloth1656

avocation1660

setworka1661

employ1669

estate1685

walk of life?1746

walk1836

1568 W. Fulwood Enimie Idlenesse iii. f. 127 (heading) To demaund enterteinment of a great Captaine.

1577 R. Holinshed Hist. Eng. 111/2 in Chron. I The Saxons..desirous of entertaynment to serue in warres.

a1616 W. Shakespeare All's Well that ends Well (1623) iv. i. 15 He must thinke vs some band of strangers, i'th aduersaries entertainment .

1647 J. Sprigge Anglia Rediviva iv. vii. 262 All other Officers and souldiers (in case there be any such) that shall desire to take Entertainment from any Forreigne Kingdome or State.

a1662 P. Heylyn Cyprianus Anglicus (1668) ii. 259 To undertake some Stipendary Lecture, wheresoever they could find entertainment.

1727 tr. Surprizing Life & Death Dr. J. Faustus xl. 73 No man would give him Entertainment into his Service, because of his Unhappiness.

2. With of. The action of maintaining or upholding something. Cf. entertain v. 1a. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > preservation from injury or destruction > [noun] > preservation in being or maintenance

sustenance1389

relevation?1418

sustentation1477

supportation?a1500

sustentmenta1500

upbearing1501

entertainment1568

maintaining1644

1568 tr. Kinges Edict vpon Pacification of Realme sig. E.j^v To obserue and continue the execution and entertainment of the saide Edict.

1634 E. Grimeston tr. P. de Béthune Counsellor of Estate i. xxiii. 80 The Prince ought to giue an Example for the obseruation and entertaynment of the Lawes.

II. Reception, admission; treatment.

†3.

a. Manner of behaviour towards others, esp. in a social context. Cf. entertain v. 7. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > behaviour > [noun] > in social intercourse

semblantc1330

conversationa1340

affairsa1400

entertainment1531

carriage1588

converse1660

1531 T. Elyot Bk. named Gouernour ii. xii. sig. Sviii With hir good maners and swete entretaynement.

1572 J. Jones Benefit Bathes of Buckstones Pref. 3 The maners that to Phisicions belonged, are that thei be of gentle entertaynment.

1598 R. Barret Theorike & Pract. Mod. Warres iv. 118 Gouerne them with convenient speeches, and good entertainment and curtesie.

1615 W. Martyn Hist. & Lives Kings Eng. 337 Hee was also diligently and carefully trained vp in the imitation of all princely entertainment, complements, and behauiour.

b. The way in which a person is treated; treatment by others. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > behaviour > [noun] > behaviour towards another or treatment

entreatisea1513

treaturea1513

behaviour?1521

entreaty1525

entreating1529

entreatance1534

usage1536

entertainment1547

demeanour1548

tractation1548

treatingc1550

treatmentc1560

entreatment1563

demean1596

carriage1598

manage1608

measure1611

quarter1615

treaty1631

treatance1644

meanora1670

treat1671

comportment1697

1547 S. Gardiner Let. 6 June (1933) 288 He had shewed me al the gentle enterteynement he coulde.

1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 669 He was of the Nobilitie receyued, and with all honorable entertainement conueyed to the kinges presence.

1645 E. Pagitt Heresiogr. 40 This [sc. burning] was the entertainment that these Sectaries had in times past.

1660 R. Boyle Seraphic Love 74 The savage entertainment He met with in it [sc. the World].

1703 tr. L. E. Du Pin Evangelical Hist. (ed. 3) iii. xxix. 98 He advises them, not to expect a favourable Entertainment, and a kind Treatment, from the World.

(a) Hospitable provision for the requirements of guests; esp. provision of food and drink. Now somewhat archaic.

ΘΚΠ

the world > food and drink > food > supply of food or provisions > [noun] > hospitable provisions

cheera1470

entertainment1539

blithemeat1681

1539 R. Morison Exhort. to styrre All Eng. Men (new ed.) sig. C vii Thoughe there were nothynge mete for suche a personages interteynment, that yet he wolde accepte his good harte and wylle, whiche fayne wold his fare had ben higher.

1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene i. x. sig. K2 His office was to giue entertainement And lodging, vnto all that came.

1613 J. Downame Consol. for Afflicted ii. xix. 230 Dainty fare, soft lodging, and kinde entertainment at our Innes.

1661 S. Pepys Diary 22 Aug. (1970) II. 159 To my Uncle Fenners; where there was..great deal of company, but poor entertainment.

1728 J. Morgan Compl. Hist. Algiers I. iv. 260 Provided of all requisite Entertainment for at least a Twelvemonth.

1785 J. Huddson Remarks Hist. Land & Commerc. Policy Eng. I. iii. 183 The nobility and gentry found lodging and entertainment in the monasteries.

1849 G. P. R. James Woodman I. xii. 255 Take order that lodging and entertainment be prepared at York.

1916 Arms & Man 30 Mar. 5/2 The road houses furnish all the entertainment for man and beast.

2012 A. Stanley Selling Women vi. 163 Takehara's inns and teahouses offered lodging and entertainment for the wayfarers.

†(b) A meal; esp. a formal or elegant meal; a feast, a banquet. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > food and drink > food > meal > feast > [noun]

farmeOE

feasta1200

gesteningc1200

mangerc1390

mangerya1400

junkerya1425

banquet1483

convive1483

gestonyea1500

junketa1500

festine1520

Maundy1533

junketing1577

entertainmenta1616

entertain1620

regalo1622

treatmenta1656

treat1659

regale1670

regality1672

festino1741

spreadation1780

spread1822

blowout1823

tuck-out1823

burst1849

a1616 W. Shakespeare Timon of Athens (1623) i. ii. 143 You haue done our pleasures Much grace (faire Ladies) Set a faire fashion on our entertainment .

1669 A. Marvell Let. 9 Nov. in Poems & Lett. (1971) II. 89 A Bill..against giuing interteinments of meat or drink.

1681 R. Knox Hist. Relation Ceylon 89 The Entertainment is, green Leaves..which they eat raw, with Lime and Betel-nut.

1706 Boston News-let. 7 Jan. 2/1 There was a Noble and Splendid Entertainment for the Guests [at the wedding].

1766 O. Goldsmith Vicar of Wakefield II. xiii. 221 A very genteel entertainment..drest by Mr. Thornhill's cook.

1841 E. W. Lane tr. Thousand & One Nights I. 90 When the man returned from an entertainment.

1886 New Eng. Mag. Feb. 151 Mrs. Chamberlin had thoughtfully and kindly provided a delicious entertainment.

b. The action or fact of receiving a guest or guests. Also more generally: the action or fact of showing hospitality to others; (in later use also in business contexts) the action of paying for meals, etc., for clients or customers.

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > social event > hospitality > [noun]

gesteningc1200

semblant1297

guestinga1300

harbergery1303

hospitalityc1384

harbergagec1386

cheerc1390

rehetc1390

waitinga1400

hostryingec1470

entreaty1525

entertainment1576

entertain1591

hostelity1593

hospitage1611

xenodochy1623

hospitation1863

entertaining1883

1576 A. Fleming tr. Ælian Reg. Hyst. viii. f. 81^v The pallace which was assigned for..the intertainment of the guests, was of great capacytie.

1649 F. Roberts Clavis Bibliorum (ed. 2) 421 Hezekiah's entertainment of them with gladnesse.

1698 Mem. E. Ludlow I. 21 Whitehall, where a constant Table was provided for their Entertainment.

1702 J. Logan in Mem. Hist. Soc. Pennsylvania (1870) IX. 110 The entertainment has been some charge, his retinue and company being great.

1725 D. Defoe New Voy. round World ii. 70 Not the Custom of the Spaniards to let their Wives appear in any publick Entertainment of Friends.

1781 Weekly Misc. 11 June 241 A more commodious town for the entertainment of strangers.

1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. 385 The improvement of our houses of public entertainment.

1883 E. T. Payne in Law Times 27 Oct. 432/2 The proprietor of [an inn]..undertakes to provide for the entertainment of all comers.

1931 Scotsman 20 June 14/3 The old Acts were never intended to strike at the entertainment of the general traveller in inns or hotels.

1944 Harper's Mag. June 8/2 Maintain ‘contacts’ through the entertainment of clients and future customers.

1999 J. Burnett Liquid Pleasures vii. 144 His favourite wine was sack, but for the entertainment of guests he kept a cellar of Claret, Canary, Malaga and Tent (Spanish red).

†5. Reception of someone into a place, the presence or company of another, etc.; the welcome (esp. of a specified kind) that a person receives; manner of reception. Obsolete.See also Tom (also Jack, John) Drum's entertainment at drum n.¹ Phrases 3.Sometimes difficult to distinguish from sense 3b.

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > social event > visit > visiting > [noun] > reception of visitors

recueil1490

entertainment1563

entreatya1569

reception1615

receipt1664

entertaininga1687

treat1691

accoil1814

recep.1918

1563 D. Fergusson Answer Epist. R. Benedict f. 39 I am the more sorie in deid, that suche as ye are hath any interteniment in the palaices of Princes.

1589 R. Greene Menaphon sig. G4^v Hath your hot intertainment cooled your courage?

a1616 W. Shakespeare Antony & Cleopatra (1623) iii. xiii. 142 Get thee backe to Cæsar, Tell him thy entertainment .

1690 J. Locke Ess. Humane Understanding ii. ix. 62 According to the divers circumstances of Childrens first entertainment in the World.

1798 R. Hawes et al. Hist. Framlingham 60 King Edward.., coming to York, and finding there cold entertainment,..changed his pretence, swearing deeply..that he came not to disturb king Henry.

†6. Acceptance or positive reception of something. Also with modifying word: reaction to or reception of something in the manner specified. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > possession > acquisition > receiving > [noun] > acceptance

underfonging1340

acceptionc1384

acceptation1426

accepting1439

entertaininga1492

acceptance1534

entertainment1586

take-up1946

1586 A. Day Eng. Secretorie i. sig. P1^v By patient sufferaunce, and entertainment of our harmes.

1612 S. Rowlands More Knaues Yet 31 If a bribe doe entertainement finde.

1675 J. Tillotson in J. Wilkins Of Princ. Nat. Relig. Pref. sig. A The ensuing Treatise..needs nothing else to make way for its entertainment.

1699 R. Bentley Diss. Epist. Phalaris (new ed.) 343 His Forgery met with good Entertainment.

1727 S. Switzer Pract. Kitchen Gardiner xxxvii. 196 The Scorzonera has of late met with great entertainment at the tables of the curious.

1764 Colloq. Ess. Liberal Educ. II. 55 An habitual inattention to them [sc. scriptures] will be imperceptibly raised by that cold entertainment and un-noticed reception which they meet with.

a. The harbouring or nurturing of a desire, ambition, etc.; the fact of having or holding on to a feeling, conviction, etc.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > thought > [noun] > entertaining fondly

entertainment1601

cherishing1648

1601 W. Cornwallis Ess. II. l. sig. Nn6^v The intertainement of this ambition of the halfe blood, worke iorney worke, and..trust themselues onely to their hire.

1622 tr. G. L. G. von Schwarzenberg Oration before his Majestie 2 No one thing hath or can bee more acceptable vnto him, then the entertainement of loue, friendship, and amitie.

1776 Morning Chron. 23 Nov. She gives herself up, this hour, to the entertainment of hope.

1841 E. Miall in Nonconformist 1 17 The deliberate entertainment of this selfish design.

1921 Scotsman 7 May 8/2 The warning we gave against the entertainment of over-sanguine hopes.

1959 Texas Stud. Lit. & Lang. 1 527 The very sacrifice of love itself through needless entertainment of passions destructively incompatible with it.

1999 J. Kirwan Beauty iv. 42 Yearning..is the entertainment of a desire in the face of a consciousness of that desire's futility.

b. The action or fact of giving something consideration; admission of an idea, possibility, etc., as worthy of contemplation or discussion.

ΚΠ

1675 Causes & Remedy Distempers Times vi. 217 Neither let any be perswaded to the least entertainment of such arguments of justification.

1796 T. Horne Reflexions on Sabbath 6 No ground is therein given for the entertainment of an idea of partial sanctification.

1841–8 F. Myers Catholic Thoughts II. iv. §13. 253 Men will grow more and more averse to the entertainment of questions which, [etc.].

1897 Scotsman 17 Nov. 9/7 He..deplored the very entertainment of the idea that a war with Great Britain could, under any circumstances, be possible.

1941 Philol. Q. 20 417 The second level is entertainment of the possibility of an unaccountable thing.

2006 M. R. West Educ. B. T. Washington ii. 85 The entertainment of the question of her guilt demonstrated a failure to consider fairly an oppressed class's perspective.

†8. The accommodation of something (usually a ship) within something else. Cf. entertain v. 8c. Obsolete.Esp. in the context of harbours being large and deep enough to accommodate vessels of a particular size or in certain numbers.

ΘΚΠ

the world > space > relative position > condition of being internal > containing or having within > [noun]

containingc1440

receipta1500

entertainment1619

containment1956

1619 R. B. tr. H. Bünting Itinerarium Totius Sacræ Scripturæ 458 It stood round,..fairly scituated, for the intertainment of ships.

1699 J. Potter Archæologiæ Græcæ II. iii. xx. 164 Harbours were Places render'd..commodious for the Entertainment of Ships.

1721 J. Perry Acct. Stopping Daggenham Breach 122 Sufficient room for the Entertainment of Ships in this Harbour.

a1792 J. Smeaton Reports (1812) III. 205 Here will be..capacity for the entertainment of ships.

III. Occupation; amusement, enjoyment.

†9. Occupation of a person's time or attention; the filling or spending of time, or a period of time. Cf. entertain v. 14a, 14c. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > time > spending time > [noun]

occupationa1475

entertainment1551

temporicide1851

the world > action or operation > doing > activity or occupation > [noun]

busyingeOE

busyOE

busyship?c1225

busyhead1340

occupation?1387

occupyinga1400

businessc1405

vacationc1450

employing1459

employment1542

entertainment1551

activity1570

trade1591

negotiation1628

engagement1661

employ1675

busyness1809

occupancy1826

carry-on1917

1551 R. Robinson tr. T. More Vtopia sig. Iiiii^v What familiar occupieng & enterteynement there is emong y^e people.

1598 W. Shakespeare Love's Labour's Lost v. i. 112 Sir Holofernes, as concerning some entertainement of time.

1637 P. Heylyn Antidotum Lincolniense iii. ix. 3 Let us see what prety tales you have to tell us, for entertainment of the time, by way of Table-talke.

1684 J. Goodman Winter-evening Conf. i. 41 No doubt but Meditation is a noble entertainment of Time.

1711 Refl. Passages in Le Clerc's Life of Locke 10 Writing and reading had been a contraband Entertainment of Time.

1777 J. Hanway Virtue in Humble Life (ed. 2) I. sig. a It hath cost the labour and entertainment of the hours I could spare.

1860 J. L. Motley Hist. Netherlands (1868) I. iii. 91 A dallying entertainment of the time.

10.

(a) As a count noun: an enjoyable or interesting activity: a source of amusement or enjoyment. Also (in later use chiefly) as a mass noun: that which provides amusement or enjoyment, esp. by means of a performance, public event, etc., or (later also) through film, television, or other media.

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > entertainment > [noun] > source of amusement or entertainment

mirtha1250

solacec1290

recreationc1400

esbatement1477

pastime1490

pastancea1500

passe-temps1542

entertainment1561

relief?1578

fancy1590

sport1598

abridgement1600

entertain1601

recreative1615

amusatory1618

nutsa1625

diverter1628

recreator1629

passatempo1632

amuser1724

fun1726

dissipation1733

resource1752

distraction1859

enlivening1859

good, clean fun1867

enlivenment1883

light relief1885

laugh1921

not one's scene1962

violon d'Ingres1963

1561 T. Hoby tr. B. Castiglione Courtyer sig. D.i One..whome she to shewe hym a good countenance, desired to daunce with her, and he refusing both that, and to heare musick and many other entertainmentes offred him.

1660 R. Allestree Gentlemans Calling 88 Other mens [affairs], (which yet are the usual entertainment of those that neglect their own).

1683 J. Dryden Life Plutarch 80 in J. Dryden et al. tr. Plutarch Lives I It [sc. history] has alwayes been the most delightful Entertainment of my life.

1713 R. Steele Spectator No. 423. ⁋1 Gloriana shall be the name of the Heroine in to Day's Entertainment.

1759 E. Burke Philos. Enq. Sublime & Beautiful (ed. 2) iii. §4. 184 These fine descriptive pieces..have been the entertainment of ages.

1788 T. Reid Aristotle's Logic iv. §3. 81 His appetite for this kind of entertainment.

1858 Spectator 2 Oct. 1027/1 The parade by France of a vast naval force..was not..a very well-chosen entertainment to set before the Queen of England.

1915 A. D. Innes Hist. Eng. & Brit. Empire IV. ix. 466 Fighting was the favourite entertainment of the hillmen.

1921 Amer. Printer 5 Aug. 66/1 Muggy weather is not conducive to theater or circus entertainment.

1976 Star (Sheffield) 20 Nov. Pub-rock does a dying swan act at the weekend when Sheffield's most celebrated stronghold closes its doors to live entertainment.

1993 N.Y. Times 24 Mar. a20/3 Broadcasting, Nintendo, video and other television-related entertainments.

2014 Wall St. Jrnl. (Electronic ed.) 17 Dec. Less technology-savvy viewers who may still consume most of their entertainment through set-top boxes, rather than streaming through tablets, laptops or media players.

(b) spec. A performance or show for an audience, esp. one with a light or comic tone, or one intended to have broad popular appeal. In later use sometimes also: a film, television programme, etc., having these characteristics.At various times sometimes with more specific application, such as to (in the 18th century) broad or farcical comedies, esp. short plays put on to accompany longer or more serious plays, (in the 19th and 20th centuries) variety performances, or (in the 20th and 21st centuries) mainstream cinema with mass appeal.

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > [noun] > a performance

entertainment1640

performance1696

programme1799

set-out1818

slang1861

perf1919

1640 J. Tatham Fancies Theater sig. F2 (heading) Acrostick on Mistris Marie Rashley, in requitall of her Musicall entertainment.

1693 Divine & Moral Disc. Divers Subj. 46 I assist at the Horse Courses, and other Entertainments in the Circus.

1727 J. Thurmond (title) The Miser; or Wagner and Abericock. A Grotesque Entertainment.

1760 tr. J. B. L. Crévier Hist. Rom. Emperors VII. xviii. 45 It is well known how fond the people were of pantomime entertainments.

1773 J. Woodforde Diary 10 Feb. (1978) 81 I went in the evening to the Play... The Play was Hamlet and the entertainment—Hob in the Well.

1806 J. Beresford Miseries Human Life I. v. 97 The entertainments at Astley's, or the Circus.

1850 R. W. Emerson Shakspeare in Representative Men v. 189 Importunate for dramatic entertainments.

1881 G. Saintsbury Dryden 18 Davenant succeeded in procuring permission from the Protector..to give what would now be called entertainments.

1941 E. Upton in J. F. Dobie et al. Texian Stomping Grounds 45 School entertainments, or ‘plays’, as they are called even when there are only recitations and songs.

1965 K. Tynan Let. 27 Jan. (1994) v. 315 I love ‘entertainments’ at their best: have you ever read my raves about the Tracy–Hepburn films, Cagney's thrillers, the MGM Garbos, etc.?

1987 Daily Tel. Weekend 18 July x. 4 The original pageants were spontaneous entertainments devised by local folk.

2006 Guardian 14 July (Film & Music section) 14/4 A staple element of Hollywood entertainments and art cinema alike.

b. The fact or condition of being provided with amusement or enjoyment, esp. by means of a performance, public event, etc., or (later also) through film, television, or other media. Occasionally also: an instance of this.

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > entertainment > [noun]

gleea700

playeOE

gameeOE

lakec1175

skentingc1175

wil-gomenc1275

solacec1290

deduit1297

envesurec1300

playingc1300

disport1303

spilea1325

laking1340

solacingc1384

bourdc1390

mazec1390

welfarea1400

recreationc1400

solancec1400

sporta1425

sportancea1450

sportingc1475

deport1477

recreancea1500

shurting15..

ebate?1518

recreating1538

abatementc1550

pleasuring1556

comfortmenta1558

disporting1561

pastiming1574

riec1576

joyance1595

spleen1598

merriment1600

amusement1603

amusing1603

entertainment1612

spleena1616

divertisement1651

diversion1653

disportment1660

sporting of nature1666

fun1726

délassement1804

gammock1841

pleasurement1843

dallying1889

rec1922

good, clean fun1923

cracka1966

looning1966

shoppertainment1993

1612 J. Brinsley Ludus Lit. xxviii. 282 An Oration by the highest, to giue the visitours intertainement.

1651 C. Goad in W. Dell Several Serm. & Disc. To Rdr. sig. a2^v Acquaint the Reader of what good entertainment there is to be found within.

1710 R. Steele Tatler No. 89. ⁋4 Diversion, which is a kind of forgetting our selves, is but a mean Way of Entertainment.

1757 tr. J. G. Keyssler Trav. II. 445 A person who is fond of seeing natural curiosities cannot but meet here with the highest entertainment.

1825 S. T. Coleridge Aids Refl. Pref. p. x He, who seeks instruction in the following pages, will not fail to find entertainment likewise.

1857 R. A. Willmott Pleasures of Lit. xxi. 123 Biography..furnishes entertainments to the reader.

1908 Times of India 18 Mar. 11/2 The book is disappointing as a source of entertainment.

1968 S. Hill Gentleman & Ladies i. 7 The television provided entertainment, information and company.

2006 New African Mar. 60/1 They get their entertainment from watching Nigerian (or Nollywood) movies.

†11. The action or an act of writing or talking about a subject; discourse; an account. Cf. entertain v. 14d. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > language > speech > conversation > [noun] > topic of or subject for conversation or gossip > discussion

debate1393

revolutionc1425

treatingc1450

disputation1489

debatement1536

debating1548

discuss1571

discussion1598

reasoning1611

entertainment1625

ventilationa1631

ventilating1660

discussal1809

skull session1959

séance1962

1625 S. Purchas Pilgrimes III. ii. viii. 408 I haue but imitated my subject, in long and wearisome entertaynment.

1655 Life of Julius Cæsar in Edmondes' Comm. of Julius Cæsar (rev. ed.) sig. c4^v In the mean time we shall divert our thoughts, with a short entertainment of his personall excellencyes and endowments, his extraction, birth, Deification, and names.

1675 R. Burthogge Cavsa Dei 329 To conclude this tedious Entertainment of the Gentile Divinity, I will only add, [etc.].

Compounds

C1. General attributive (in sense 4).

ΚΠ

1669 J. Ogilby tr. J. Nieuhof Embassy E.-India Company 140 The Embassadours lay at a famous Entertainment-house, which belonged to the Vice-Roy of Canton.

1843 Belfast News Let. 22 Dec. (advt.) J. G. has Opened entertainment rooms..where his friends and patrons will find good accommodation in Hot Mutton,..custards; soft drinks, &c.

1898 Kansas City (Missouri) Star 19 Dec. 1/5 Following are the names of the members of the entertainment committee who received the war heroes.

1950 J. D. MacDonald Brass Cupcake i. 13 Put it on the entertainment account.

1952 Good Housek. (U.S. ed.) Dec. 65/2 (caption) Amusing wrapping for cocktail napkins, aprons, and other entertainment trivia.

1991 ABA Jrnl. Nov. 80/3 If the firm reimburses an employee or partner for meal or entertainment expenses.

C2. General attributive (in sense 10).

a. With first element in singular form, in later use often with reference to the provision of mass-media entertainment, as entertainment business, entertainment industry, etc.

ΚΠ

1864 R. E. Hunter Shakepeare & Stratford-upon-Avon 100 All the small Committees having charge of any of the amusements were broken up and a General Entertainment Committee formed.

1880 Daily Gaz. 18 May 3/7 Each choir sang two pieces, the one as an ‘entertainment’ piece, and the other for the contest.

1922 Punch 25 Oct. 385 No entertainment tax.

1951 M. McLuhan Mech. Bride 75/1 The reciprocal connections between chic and the entertainment industries.

1988 Millimeter Apr. 114/3 Pick up any newspaper, turn to the entertainment pages.

1997 Details Feb. 109/1 A multimedia entertainment empire.

2012 Vanity Fair May 206/2 Suing him, though, is terrible P.R. for the entertainment business.

b. With first element in plural form, often (British) in the context of the organization of social and leisure activities for a particular group of people or in a particular place, as entertainments manager, entertainments officer, etc.; cf. ents n.

ΚΠ

1864 R. E. Hunter Shakepeare & Stratford-upon-Avon 122 The entertainments Committee..invited Mr. Fechter to play Hamlet.

1908 Manch. Guardian 18 Apr. 7/6 The first entertainment arranged by Mr. H. Hague, the newly appointed entertainments manager.., will be given at the Old Town Hall [in Scarborough] on Wednesday evening.

1934 H. L. Beales & R. S. Lambert Mem. Unemployed 152 We endeavoured to start a local entertainments guide and advertising medium.

1941 Scotsman 26 Mar. 9/5 The total number of entertainments given to the troops,..said the Entertainments Officer, amounts to about 3500.

1981 Times 20 May 20/6 Shares of entertainments group Pleasurama rose 4p to 290p yesterday.

1996 Big Issue 8 July 31/1 Jim came to Newcastle in the mid-Eighties from Liverpool to go to university, where he soon became entertainments manager.

C3.

entertainment licence n. a licence authorizing a person, venue, or event to put on live entertainment (esp. music); cf. music licence n. at music n. and adj. Compounds 2.

ΚΠ

1869 Victoria (Austral.) Parl. Deb. 9 2018/1 I propose a ‘special entertainment license’, to meet the cases of travelling exhibitions, theatrical companies, concert singers, and any other class of performers who..may perform at any hotel.

1890 Musical Times Sept. 539/2 An entertainment license for six days only has been granted by the magistrates to the Rotunda.

1999 Daily Tel. 29 Jan. 29/4 Proprietors of venues wishing to employ more than two live musicians have to obtain an entertainment licence.

entertainment value n. the amount or quality of entertainment which something or someone provides; the capacity to provide entertainment.

ΚΠ

1898 Standard 3 Jan. 3/5 These meetings..would be educational as far as possible, without interfering with their entertainment value.

1946 G. B. Shaw Shaw on Theatre (1958) 268 The critics reported that my plays were not plays, whatever other entertainment value they might possess.

1958 Listener 6 Nov. 742/2 She was wonderful entertainment value and a rare spirit.

2013 I. Stark & J. Pruess Dos Caminos: Mexican Street Food 2/2 Even if the food was marginal, the entertainment value was great.

This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2018; most recently modified version published online March 2022).

单词	entertainment
释义	entertainmentn. Brit. /ˌɛntəˈteɪnm(ə)nt/, U.S. /ˌɛn(t)ərˈteɪnmənt/ Forms: see entertain v. and -ment suffix. Origin: Of multiple origins. Partly a borrowing from French. Partly formed within English, by derivation. Etymons: French entretenement , entretiennement ; entertain v., -ment suffix. Etymology: Partly (i) < Anglo-Norman and Middle French entretenement, Middle French entretiennement harbouring or nurturing of an emotion or desire (late 14th cent.), provision for the material needs of a person or place (early 15th cent.), action of upholding something (early 15th cent.), manner of behaviour towards others (late 15th cent.) < entretenir entertain v. + -ment -ment suffix, and partly (ii) < entertain v. + -ment suffix.Compare post-classical Latin intertenementum (1510, 1512 in British (Scottish) sources; < French). †I. Maintenance, support. 1. a. Provision for the material or financial needs of a person, animal, place, etc.; maintenance, support; sustenance. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > possession > supply > [noun] > provision of means of support or livelihood substancec1384 maintenance1389 sustenance1389 sustentation1389 sustaining1395 findingc1400 uphold1439 retainment1449 exhibition?a1475 entertainment?c1475 upholdingc1480 entertaininga1492 sustenation1496 support1561 alimentation1590 alimony1622 enablement1626 subsisting1698 keep1801 life support1852 palimony1977 ?c1475 ( in J. Stevenson Lett. & Papers Illustr. Wars Eng. in France (1864) II. 586 The somme of xx.m. l. of the kingis finaunce and revenue out of Englond for thentretenement and seuerte, defence, and sauvegarde of that lande of Fraunce and of Normandie. 1529 S. Gardiner Let. 12 Aug. (1933) 29 Such money as his Highnes geveth them [sc. the Earl of Angus and his uncle] for ther entertenement. 1598 I. D. tr. L. Le Roy Aristotles Politiques i. iii. 22 A facultie of getting and obtaining goods seruing for the maintenance and entertainement of the family and of the Cittie. 1621 Knolles's Gen. Hist. Turkes (ed. 3) 1391 Lands for the intertainement of them and their horses. 1692 J. Ray Misc. Disc. Dissolution World v. 166 Most convenient for the entertainment of the various sorts of Animals. 1705 G. Stanhope Paraphr. III. 468 Creatures..designed for the Service and Entertainment of Mankind. 1754 J. Erskine Princ. Law Scotl. I. i. vii. 83 The expences laid out upon the minor's entertainment. 1761 D. Hume Hist. Eng. III. 71 James..erected a college at Chelsea for the entertainment of twenty persons. b. spec. In plural and singular. Financial provision for the payment of people in one's employment or service (esp. in the military); pay, wages. Obsolete (historical in later use). ΘΚΠ society > trade and finance > fees and taxes > payment for labour or service > [noun] hirec1000 shipec1000 shipingc1275 servicec1300 soldc1330 wage1338 payment1370 reward1371 pay?a1400 mercedec1400 remunerationc1400 souldie1474 emolument1480 soldery1502 stipend?1518 entertainment1535 task-money1593 consideration1607 gratuitya1637 wadage1679 addling1757 solde1852 treatment1852 screw1853 time1877 money1887 wage payment1923 1535–6 Act 27 Henry VIII c. 11 §1 in Statutes of Realm (1963) III. 542 The Kynges Clerkys..havyng for their intertaynmentes and theyr clerkes no fees nor wages certayn for those offyces. a1599 E. Spenser View State Ireland in J. Ware Two Hist. Ireland (1633) 89 The which eighteene thousand pounds will defray the entertainment of 1500. Souldiers. 1612 J. Davies Discouerie Causes Ireland 32 The earle of Staffords entertainment, was for himselfe vi s. viijd. per diem. a1684 J. Evelyn Diary anno 1682 (1955) IV. 270 The Governor, Chaplaine, Steward,..& other Officers, with their severall salaries & entertainements. 1709 J. Strype Ann. Reformation Introd. ii. 16 Granting him 20s. a day..towards the entertainment of an hundred horsemen serving there under him. 1787 G. Chalmers in J. Davies Hist. Tracts 27 Serve him in his wars with certain numbers of men, for certain wages and entertainments. c. The action or fact of having or keeping someone in one's employment or service, or of taking someone into employment or service. Also: the state or fact of being in employment or service. Cf. entertain v. 3, 11. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ society > occupation and work > [noun] > regular occupation, trade, or profession workeOE mysteryc1390 facultyc1405 business1477 industrya1500 roomc1500 trade1525 pursuit1529 function1533 calling1539 profession?1552 vocation1553 entertainment1568 station1574 qualitya1586 employment1598 way of lifea1616 state1625 cloth1656 avocation1660 setworka1661 employ1669 estate1685 walk of life?1746 walk1836 1568 W. Fulwood Enimie Idlenesse iii. f. 127 (heading) To demaund enterteinment of a great Captaine. 1577 R. Holinshed Hist. Eng. 111/2 in Chron. I The Saxons..desirous of entertaynment to serue in warres. a1616 W. Shakespeare All's Well that ends Well (1623) iv. i. 15 He must thinke vs some band of strangers, i'th aduersaries entertainment . View more context for this quotation 1647 J. Sprigge Anglia Rediviva iv. vii. 262 All other Officers and souldiers (in case there be any such) that shall desire to take Entertainment from any Forreigne Kingdome or State. a1662 P. Heylyn Cyprianus Anglicus (1668) ii. 259 To undertake some Stipendary Lecture, wheresoever they could find entertainment. 1727 tr. Surprizing Life & Death Dr. J. Faustus xl. 73 No man would give him Entertainment into his Service, because of his Unhappiness. 2. With of. The action of maintaining or upholding something. Cf. entertain v. 1a. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > preservation from injury or destruction > [noun] > preservation in being or maintenance sustenance1389 relevation?1418 sustentation1477 supportation?a1500 sustentmenta1500 upbearing1501 entertainment1568 maintaining1644 1568 tr. Kinges Edict vpon Pacification of Realme sig. E.j^v To obserue and continue the execution and entertainment of the saide Edict. 1634 E. Grimeston tr. P. de Béthune Counsellor of Estate i. xxiii. 80 The Prince ought to giue an Example for the obseruation and entertaynment of the Lawes. II. Reception, admission; treatment. †3. a. Manner of behaviour towards others, esp. in a social context. Cf. entertain v. 7. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > behaviour > [noun] > in social intercourse semblantc1330 conversationa1340 affairsa1400 entertainment1531 carriage1588 converse1660 1531 T. Elyot Bk. named Gouernour ii. xii. sig. Sviii With hir good maners and swete entretaynement. 1572 J. Jones Benefit Bathes of Buckstones Pref. 3 The maners that to Phisicions belonged, are that thei be of gentle entertaynment. 1598 R. Barret Theorike & Pract. Mod. Warres iv. 118 Gouerne them with convenient speeches, and good entertainment and curtesie. 1615 W. Martyn Hist. & Lives Kings Eng. 337 Hee was also diligently and carefully trained vp in the imitation of all princely entertainment, complements, and behauiour. b. The way in which a person is treated; treatment by others. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > behaviour > [noun] > behaviour towards another or treatment entreatisea1513 treaturea1513 behaviour?1521 entreaty1525 entreating1529 entreatance1534 usage1536 entertainment1547 demeanour1548 tractation1548 treatingc1550 treatmentc1560 entreatment1563 demean1596 carriage1598 manage1608 measure1611 quarter1615 treaty1631 treatance1644 meanora1670 treat1671 comportment1697 1547 S. Gardiner Let. 6 June (1933) 288 He had shewed me al the gentle enterteynement he coulde. 1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 669 He was of the Nobilitie receyued, and with all honorable entertainement conueyed to the kinges presence. 1645 E. Pagitt Heresiogr. 40 This [sc. burning] was the entertainment that these Sectaries had in times past. 1660 R. Boyle Seraphic Love 74 The savage entertainment He met with in it [sc. the World]. 1703 tr. L. E. Du Pin Evangelical Hist. (ed. 3) iii. xxix. 98 He advises them, not to expect a favourable Entertainment, and a kind Treatment, from the World. 4. a. (a) Hospitable provision for the requirements of guests; esp. provision of food and drink. Now somewhat archaic. ΘΚΠ the world > food and drink > food > supply of food or provisions > [noun] > hospitable provisions cheera1470 entertainment1539 blithemeat1681 1539 R. Morison Exhort. to styrre All Eng. Men (new ed.) sig. C vii Thoughe there were nothynge mete for suche a personages interteynment, that yet he wolde accepte his good harte and wylle, whiche fayne wold his fare had ben higher. 1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene i. x. sig. K2 His office was to giue entertainement And lodging, vnto all that came. 1613 J. Downame Consol. for Afflicted ii. xix. 230 Dainty fare, soft lodging, and kinde entertainment at our Innes. 1661 S. Pepys Diary 22 Aug. (1970) II. 159 To my Uncle Fenners; where there was..great deal of company, but poor entertainment. 1728 J. Morgan Compl. Hist. Algiers I. iv. 260 Provided of all requisite Entertainment for at least a Twelvemonth. 1785 J. Huddson Remarks Hist. Land & Commerc. Policy Eng. I. iii. 183 The nobility and gentry found lodging and entertainment in the monasteries. 1849 G. P. R. James Woodman I. xii. 255 Take order that lodging and entertainment be prepared at York. 1916 Arms & Man 30 Mar. 5/2 The road houses furnish all the entertainment for man and beast. 2012 A. Stanley Selling Women vi. 163 Takehara's inns and teahouses offered lodging and entertainment for the wayfarers. †(b) A meal; esp. a formal or elegant meal; a feast, a banquet. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > food and drink > food > meal > feast > [noun] farmeOE feasta1200 gesteningc1200 mangerc1390 mangerya1400 junkerya1425 banquet1483 convive1483 gestonyea1500 junketa1500 festine1520 Maundy1533 junketing1577 entertainmenta1616 entertain1620 regalo1622 treatmenta1656 treat1659 regale1670 regality1672 festino1741 spreadation1780 spread1822 blowout1823 tuck-out1823 burst1849 a1616 W. Shakespeare Timon of Athens (1623) i. ii. 143 You haue done our pleasures Much grace (faire Ladies) Set a faire fashion on our entertainment . View more context for this quotation 1669 A. Marvell Let. 9 Nov. in Poems & Lett. (1971) II. 89 A Bill..against giuing interteinments of meat or drink. 1681 R. Knox Hist. Relation Ceylon 89 The Entertainment is, green Leaves..which they eat raw, with Lime and Betel-nut. 1706 Boston News-let. 7 Jan. 2/1 There was a Noble and Splendid Entertainment for the Guests [at the wedding]. 1766 O. Goldsmith Vicar of Wakefield II. xiii. 221 A very genteel entertainment..drest by Mr. Thornhill's cook. 1841 E. W. Lane tr. Thousand & One Nights I. 90 When the man returned from an entertainment. 1886 New Eng. Mag. Feb. 151 Mrs. Chamberlin had thoughtfully and kindly provided a delicious entertainment. b. The action or fact of receiving a guest or guests. Also more generally: the action or fact of showing hospitality to others; (in later use also in business contexts) the action of paying for meals, etc., for clients or customers. ΘΚΠ society > leisure > social event > hospitality > [noun] gesteningc1200 semblant1297 guestinga1300 harbergery1303 hospitalityc1384 harbergagec1386 cheerc1390 rehetc1390 waitinga1400 hostryingec1470 entreaty1525 entertainment1576 entertain1591 hostelity1593 hospitage1611 xenodochy1623 hospitation1863 entertaining1883 1576 A. Fleming tr. Ælian Reg. Hyst. viii. f. 81^v The pallace which was assigned for..the intertainment of the guests, was of great capacytie. 1649 F. Roberts Clavis Bibliorum (ed. 2) 421 Hezekiah's entertainment of them with gladnesse. 1698 Mem. E. Ludlow I. 21 Whitehall, where a constant Table was provided for their Entertainment. 1702 J. Logan in Mem. Hist. Soc. Pennsylvania (1870) IX. 110 The entertainment has been some charge, his retinue and company being great. 1725 D. Defoe New Voy. round World ii. 70 Not the Custom of the Spaniards to let their Wives appear in any publick Entertainment of Friends. 1781 Weekly Misc. 11 June 241 A more commodious town for the entertainment of strangers. 1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. 385 The improvement of our houses of public entertainment. 1883 E. T. Payne in Law Times 27 Oct. 432/2 The proprietor of [an inn]..undertakes to provide for the entertainment of all comers. 1931 Scotsman 20 June 14/3 The old Acts were never intended to strike at the entertainment of the general traveller in inns or hotels. 1944 Harper's Mag. June 8/2 Maintain ‘contacts’ through the entertainment of clients and future customers. 1999 J. Burnett Liquid Pleasures vii. 144 His favourite wine was sack, but for the entertainment of guests he kept a cellar of Claret, Canary, Malaga and Tent (Spanish red). †5. Reception of someone into a place, the presence or company of another, etc.; the welcome (esp. of a specified kind) that a person receives; manner of reception. Obsolete.See also Tom (also Jack, John) Drum's entertainment at drum n.¹ Phrases 3.Sometimes difficult to distinguish from sense 3b. ΘΚΠ society > leisure > social event > visit > visiting > [noun] > reception of visitors recueil1490 entertainment1563 entreatya1569 reception1615 receipt1664 entertaininga1687 treat1691 accoil1814 recep.1918 1563 D. Fergusson Answer Epist. R. Benedict f. 39 I am the more sorie in deid, that suche as ye are hath any interteniment in the palaices of Princes. 1589 R. Greene Menaphon sig. G4^v Hath your hot intertainment cooled your courage? a1616 W. Shakespeare Antony & Cleopatra (1623) iii. xiii. 142 Get thee backe to Cæsar, Tell him thy entertainment . View more context for this quotation 1690 J. Locke Ess. Humane Understanding ii. ix. 62 According to the divers circumstances of Childrens first entertainment in the World. 1798 R. Hawes et al. Hist. Framlingham 60 King Edward.., coming to York, and finding there cold entertainment,..changed his pretence, swearing deeply..that he came not to disturb king Henry. †6. Acceptance or positive reception of something. Also with modifying word: reaction to or reception of something in the manner specified. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > possession > acquisition > receiving > [noun] > acceptance underfonging1340 acceptionc1384 acceptation1426 accepting1439 entertaininga1492 acceptance1534 entertainment1586 take-up1946 1586 A. Day Eng. Secretorie i. sig. P1^v By patient sufferaunce, and entertainment of our harmes. 1612 S. Rowlands More Knaues Yet 31 If a bribe doe entertainement finde. 1675 J. Tillotson in J. Wilkins Of Princ. Nat. Relig. Pref. sig. A The ensuing Treatise..needs nothing else to make way for its entertainment. 1699 R. Bentley Diss. Epist. Phalaris (new ed.) 343 His Forgery met with good Entertainment. 1727 S. Switzer Pract. Kitchen Gardiner xxxvii. 196 The Scorzonera has of late met with great entertainment at the tables of the curious. 1764 Colloq. Ess. Liberal Educ. II. 55 An habitual inattention to them [sc. scriptures] will be imperceptibly raised by that cold entertainment and un-noticed reception which they meet with. 7. a. The harbouring or nurturing of a desire, ambition, etc.; the fact of having or holding on to a feeling, conviction, etc. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > thought > [noun] > entertaining fondly entertainment1601 cherishing1648 1601 W. Cornwallis Ess. II. l. sig. Nn6^v The intertainement of this ambition of the halfe blood, worke iorney worke, and..trust themselues onely to their hire. 1622 tr. G. L. G. von Schwarzenberg Oration before his Majestie 2 No one thing hath or can bee more acceptable vnto him, then the entertainement of loue, friendship, and amitie. 1776 Morning Chron. 23 Nov. She gives herself up, this hour, to the entertainment of hope. 1841 E. Miall in Nonconformist 1 17 The deliberate entertainment of this selfish design. 1921 Scotsman 7 May 8/2 The warning we gave against the entertainment of over-sanguine hopes. 1959 Texas Stud. Lit. & Lang. 1 527 The very sacrifice of love itself through needless entertainment of passions destructively incompatible with it. 1999 J. Kirwan Beauty iv. 42 Yearning..is the entertainment of a desire in the face of a consciousness of that desire's futility. b. The action or fact of giving something consideration; admission of an idea, possibility, etc., as worthy of contemplation or discussion. ΚΠ 1675 Causes & Remedy Distempers Times vi. 217 Neither let any be perswaded to the least entertainment of such arguments of justification. 1796 T. Horne Reflexions on Sabbath 6 No ground is therein given for the entertainment of an idea of partial sanctification. 1841–8 F. Myers Catholic Thoughts II. iv. §13. 253 Men will grow more and more averse to the entertainment of questions which, [etc.]. 1897 Scotsman 17 Nov. 9/7 He..deplored the very entertainment of the idea that a war with Great Britain could, under any circumstances, be possible. 1941 Philol. Q. 20 417 The second level is entertainment of the possibility of an unaccountable thing. 2006 M. R. West Educ. B. T. Washington ii. 85 The entertainment of the question of her guilt demonstrated a failure to consider fairly an oppressed class's perspective. †8. The accommodation of something (usually a ship) within something else. Cf. entertain v. 8c. Obsolete.Esp. in the context of harbours being large and deep enough to accommodate vessels of a particular size or in certain numbers. ΘΚΠ the world > space > relative position > condition of being internal > containing or having within > [noun] containingc1440 receipta1500 entertainment1619 containment1956 1619 R. B. tr. H. Bünting Itinerarium Totius Sacræ Scripturæ 458 It stood round,..fairly scituated, for the intertainment of ships. 1699 J. Potter Archæologiæ Græcæ II. iii. xx. 164 Harbours were Places render'd..commodious for the Entertainment of Ships. 1721 J. Perry Acct. Stopping Daggenham Breach 122 Sufficient room for the Entertainment of Ships in this Harbour. a1792 J. Smeaton Reports (1812) III. 205 Here will be..capacity for the entertainment of ships. III. Occupation; amusement, enjoyment. †9. Occupation of a person's time or attention; the filling or spending of time, or a period of time. Cf. entertain v. 14a, 14c. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > time > spending time > [noun] occupationa1475 entertainment1551 temporicide1851 the world > action or operation > doing > activity or occupation > [noun] busyingeOE busyOE busyship?c1225 busyhead1340 occupation?1387 occupyinga1400 businessc1405 vacationc1450 employing1459 employment1542 entertainment1551 activity1570 trade1591 negotiation1628 engagement1661 employ1675 busyness1809 occupancy1826 carry-on1917 1551 R. Robinson tr. T. More Vtopia sig. Iiiii^v What familiar occupieng & enterteynement there is emong y^e people. 1598 W. Shakespeare Love's Labour's Lost v. i. 112 Sir Holofernes, as concerning some entertainement of time. View more context for this quotation 1637 P. Heylyn Antidotum Lincolniense iii. ix. 3 Let us see what prety tales you have to tell us, for entertainment of the time, by way of Table-talke. 1684 J. Goodman Winter-evening Conf. i. 41 No doubt but Meditation is a noble entertainment of Time. 1711 Refl. Passages in Le Clerc's Life of Locke 10 Writing and reading had been a contraband Entertainment of Time. 1777 J. Hanway Virtue in Humble Life (ed. 2) I. sig. a It hath cost the labour and entertainment of the hours I could spare. 1860 J. L. Motley Hist. Netherlands (1868) I. iii. 91 A dallying entertainment of the time. 10. a. (a) As a count noun: an enjoyable or interesting activity: a source of amusement or enjoyment. Also (in later use chiefly) as a mass noun: that which provides amusement or enjoyment, esp. by means of a performance, public event, etc., or (later also) through film, television, or other media. ΘΚΠ society > leisure > entertainment > [noun] > source of amusement or entertainment mirtha1250 solacec1290 recreationc1400 esbatement1477 pastime1490 pastancea1500 passe-temps1542 entertainment1561 relief?1578 fancy1590 sport1598 abridgement1600 entertain1601 recreative1615 amusatory1618 nutsa1625 diverter1628 recreator1629 passatempo1632 amuser1724 fun1726 dissipation1733 resource1752 distraction1859 enlivening1859 good, clean fun1867 enlivenment1883 light relief1885 laugh1921 not one's scene1962 violon d'Ingres1963 1561 T. Hoby tr. B. Castiglione Courtyer sig. D.i One..whome she to shewe hym a good countenance, desired to daunce with her, and he refusing both that, and to heare musick and many other entertainmentes offred him. 1660 R. Allestree Gentlemans Calling 88 Other mens [affairs], (which yet are the usual entertainment of those that neglect their own). 1683 J. Dryden Life Plutarch 80 in J. Dryden et al. tr. Plutarch Lives I It [sc. history] has alwayes been the most delightful Entertainment of my life. 1713 R. Steele Spectator No. 423. ⁋1 Gloriana shall be the name of the Heroine in to Day's Entertainment. 1759 E. Burke Philos. Enq. Sublime & Beautiful (ed. 2) iii. §4. 184 These fine descriptive pieces..have been the entertainment of ages. 1788 T. Reid Aristotle's Logic iv. §3. 81 His appetite for this kind of entertainment. 1858 Spectator 2 Oct. 1027/1 The parade by France of a vast naval force..was not..a very well-chosen entertainment to set before the Queen of England. 1915 A. D. Innes Hist. Eng. & Brit. Empire IV. ix. 466 Fighting was the favourite entertainment of the hillmen. 1921 Amer. Printer 5 Aug. 66/1 Muggy weather is not conducive to theater or circus entertainment. 1976 Star (Sheffield) 20 Nov. Pub-rock does a dying swan act at the weekend when Sheffield's most celebrated stronghold closes its doors to live entertainment. 1993 N.Y. Times 24 Mar. a20/3 Broadcasting, Nintendo, video and other television-related entertainments. 2014 Wall St. Jrnl. (Electronic ed.) 17 Dec. Less technology-savvy viewers who may still consume most of their entertainment through set-top boxes, rather than streaming through tablets, laptops or media players. (b) spec. A performance or show for an audience, esp. one with a light or comic tone, or one intended to have broad popular appeal. In later use sometimes also: a film, television programme, etc., having these characteristics.At various times sometimes with more specific application, such as to (in the 18th century) broad or farcical comedies, esp. short plays put on to accompany longer or more serious plays, (in the 19th and 20th centuries) variety performances, or (in the 20th and 21st centuries) mainstream cinema with mass appeal. ΘΚΠ society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > [noun] > a performance entertainment1640 performance1696 programme1799 set-out1818 slang1861 perf1919 1640 J. Tatham Fancies Theater sig. F2 (heading) Acrostick on Mistris Marie Rashley, in requitall of her Musicall entertainment. 1693 Divine & Moral Disc. Divers Subj. 46 I assist at the Horse Courses, and other Entertainments in the Circus. 1727 J. Thurmond (title) The Miser; or Wagner and Abericock. A Grotesque Entertainment. 1760 tr. J. B. L. Crévier Hist. Rom. Emperors VII. xviii. 45 It is well known how fond the people were of pantomime entertainments. 1773 J. Woodforde Diary 10 Feb. (1978) 81 I went in the evening to the Play... The Play was Hamlet and the entertainment—Hob in the Well. 1806 J. Beresford Miseries Human Life I. v. 97 The entertainments at Astley's, or the Circus. 1850 R. W. Emerson Shakspeare in Representative Men v. 189 Importunate for dramatic entertainments. 1881 G. Saintsbury Dryden 18 Davenant succeeded in procuring permission from the Protector..to give what would now be called entertainments. 1941 E. Upton in J. F. Dobie et al. Texian Stomping Grounds 45 School entertainments, or ‘plays’, as they are called even when there are only recitations and songs. 1965 K. Tynan Let. 27 Jan. (1994) v. 315 I love ‘entertainments’ at their best: have you ever read my raves about the Tracy–Hepburn films, Cagney's thrillers, the MGM Garbos, etc.? 1987 Daily Tel. Weekend 18 July x. 4 The original pageants were spontaneous entertainments devised by local folk. 2006 Guardian 14 July (Film & Music section) 14/4 A staple element of Hollywood entertainments and art cinema alike. b. The fact or condition of being provided with amusement or enjoyment, esp. by means of a performance, public event, etc., or (later also) through film, television, or other media. Occasionally also: an instance of this. ΘΚΠ society > leisure > entertainment > [noun] gleea700 playeOE gameeOE lakec1175 skentingc1175 wil-gomenc1275 solacec1290 deduit1297 envesurec1300 playingc1300 disport1303 spilea1325 laking1340 solacingc1384 bourdc1390 mazec1390 welfarea1400 recreationc1400 solancec1400 sporta1425 sportancea1450 sportingc1475 deport1477 recreancea1500 shurting15.. ebate?1518 recreating1538 abatementc1550 pleasuring1556 comfortmenta1558 disporting1561 pastiming1574 riec1576 joyance1595 spleen1598 merriment1600 amusement1603 amusing1603 entertainment1612 spleena1616 divertisement1651 diversion1653 disportment1660 sporting of nature1666 fun1726 délassement1804 gammock1841 pleasurement1843 dallying1889 rec1922 good, clean fun1923 cracka1966 looning1966 shoppertainment1993 1612 J. Brinsley Ludus Lit. xxviii. 282 An Oration by the highest, to giue the visitours intertainement. 1651 C. Goad in W. Dell Several Serm. & Disc. To Rdr. sig. a2^v Acquaint the Reader of what good entertainment there is to be found within. 1710 R. Steele Tatler No. 89. ⁋4 Diversion, which is a kind of forgetting our selves, is but a mean Way of Entertainment. 1757 tr. J. G. Keyssler Trav. II. 445 A person who is fond of seeing natural curiosities cannot but meet here with the highest entertainment. 1825 S. T. Coleridge Aids Refl. Pref. p. x He, who seeks instruction in the following pages, will not fail to find entertainment likewise. 1857 R. A. Willmott Pleasures of Lit. xxi. 123 Biography..furnishes entertainments to the reader. 1908 Times of India 18 Mar. 11/2 The book is disappointing as a source of entertainment. 1968 S. Hill Gentleman & Ladies i. 7 The television provided entertainment, information and company. 2006 New African Mar. 60/1 They get their entertainment from watching Nigerian (or Nollywood) movies. †11. The action or an act of writing or talking about a subject; discourse; an account. Cf. entertain v. 14d. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > language > speech > conversation > [noun] > topic of or subject for conversation or gossip > discussion debate1393 revolutionc1425 treatingc1450 disputation1489 debatement1536 debating1548 discuss1571 discussion1598 reasoning1611 entertainment1625 ventilationa1631 ventilating1660 discussal1809 skull session1959 séance1962 1625 S. Purchas Pilgrimes III. ii. viii. 408 I haue but imitated my subject, in long and wearisome entertaynment. 1655 Life of Julius Cæsar in Edmondes' Comm. of Julius Cæsar (rev. ed.) sig. c4^v In the mean time we shall divert our thoughts, with a short entertainment of his personall excellencyes and endowments, his extraction, birth, Deification, and names. 1675 R. Burthogge Cavsa Dei 329 To conclude this tedious Entertainment of the Gentile Divinity, I will only add, [etc.]. Compounds C1. General attributive (in sense 4). ΚΠ 1669 J. Ogilby tr. J. Nieuhof Embassy E.-India Company 140 The Embassadours lay at a famous Entertainment-house, which belonged to the Vice-Roy of Canton. 1843 Belfast News Let. 22 Dec. (advt.) J. G. has Opened entertainment rooms..where his friends and patrons will find good accommodation in Hot Mutton,..custards; soft drinks, &c. 1898 Kansas City (Missouri) Star 19 Dec. 1/5 Following are the names of the members of the entertainment committee who received the war heroes. 1950 J. D. MacDonald Brass Cupcake i. 13 Put it on the entertainment account. 1952 Good Housek. (U.S. ed.) Dec. 65/2 (caption) Amusing wrapping for cocktail napkins, aprons, and other entertainment trivia. 1991 ABA Jrnl. Nov. 80/3 If the firm reimburses an employee or partner for meal or entertainment expenses. C2. General attributive (in sense 10). a. With first element in singular form, in later use often with reference to the provision of mass-media entertainment, as entertainment business, entertainment industry, etc. ΚΠ 1864 R. E. Hunter Shakepeare & Stratford-upon-Avon 100 All the small Committees having charge of any of the amusements were broken up and a General Entertainment Committee formed. 1880 Daily Gaz. 18 May 3/7 Each choir sang two pieces, the one as an ‘entertainment’ piece, and the other for the contest. 1922 Punch 25 Oct. 385 No entertainment tax. 1951 M. McLuhan Mech. Bride 75/1 The reciprocal connections between chic and the entertainment industries. 1988 Millimeter Apr. 114/3 Pick up any newspaper, turn to the entertainment pages. 1997 Details Feb. 109/1 A multimedia entertainment empire. 2012 Vanity Fair May 206/2 Suing him, though, is terrible P.R. for the entertainment business. b. With first element in plural form, often (British) in the context of the organization of social and leisure activities for a particular group of people or in a particular place, as entertainments manager, entertainments officer, etc.; cf. ents n. ΚΠ 1864 R. E. Hunter Shakepeare & Stratford-upon-Avon 122 The entertainments Committee..invited Mr. Fechter to play Hamlet. 1908 Manch. Guardian 18 Apr. 7/6 The first entertainment arranged by Mr. H. Hague, the newly appointed entertainments manager.., will be given at the Old Town Hall [in Scarborough] on Wednesday evening. 1934 H. L. Beales & R. S. Lambert Mem. Unemployed 152 We endeavoured to start a local entertainments guide and advertising medium. 1941 Scotsman 26 Mar. 9/5 The total number of entertainments given to the troops,..said the Entertainments Officer, amounts to about 3500. 1981 Times 20 May 20/6 Shares of entertainments group Pleasurama rose 4p to 290p yesterday. 1996 Big Issue 8 July 31/1 Jim came to Newcastle in the mid-Eighties from Liverpool to go to university, where he soon became entertainments manager. C3. entertainment licence n. a licence authorizing a person, venue, or event to put on live entertainment (esp. music); cf. music licence n. at music n. and adj. Compounds 2. ΚΠ 1869 Victoria (Austral.) Parl. Deb. 9 2018/1 I propose a ‘special entertainment license’, to meet the cases of travelling exhibitions, theatrical companies, concert singers, and any other class of performers who..may perform at any hotel. 1890 Musical Times Sept. 539/2 An entertainment license for six days only has been granted by the magistrates to the Rotunda. 1999 Daily Tel. 29 Jan. 29/4 Proprietors of venues wishing to employ more than two live musicians have to obtain an entertainment licence. entertainment value n. the amount or quality of entertainment which something or someone provides; the capacity to provide entertainment. ΚΠ 1898 Standard 3 Jan. 3/5 These meetings..would be educational as far as possible, without interfering with their entertainment value. 1946 G. B. Shaw Shaw on Theatre (1958) 268 The critics reported that my plays were not plays, whatever other entertainment value they might possess. 1958 Listener 6 Nov. 742/2 She was wonderful entertainment value and a rare spirit. 2013 I. Stark & J. Pruess Dos Caminos: Mexican Street Food 2/2 Even if the food was marginal, the entertainment value was great. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2018; most recently modified version published online March 2022). < n.?c1475
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