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Coarse; plain; simple; as, a rustic entertainment; rustic dress.

the reception of company or for works of art; a hall of reception, esp. a hall for public entertainments or amusements; a large room or parlor; as, the saloon of a steamboat. The gilden saloons in which the first magnates of the realm . . . gave banquets and balls. Macaulay.

Music sung or performed in the open air at nights; -- usually applied to musical entertainments given in the open air at night, especially by gentlemen, in a spirit of gallantry, under the windows of ladies.

community in its social relations and influences; those who mutually give receive formal entertainments. Society of Jesus. See Jesuit. -- Society verses Etym: [a translation of F. vers de société], the lightest kind of lyrical poetry; verses for the amusement of polite society.

A table, as spread or furnished with a meal; hence, an entertainment of food; a feast. [Colloq.]

A dramatic or theatrical entertainment. Dryden.

ortunity; to press; as, to strain a petition or invitation. Note, if your lady strain his entertainment. Shak.

Public moneys expended at Athens on festivals, sacrifices, and public entertainments (especially theatrical performances), and in gifts to the people; -- also called theoric fund.

cup, generally with four handles, formerly used for passing around the table at convivial entertainment.

disgust, resentment, or opposition; passable; as, a tolerable administration; a tolerable entertainment; a tolerable translation. Dryden. -- Tol"er*a*ble*ness, n. -- Tol"er*a*bly, adv.

To give a gratuitous entertainment, esp. of food or drink, as a compliment.

Entertainment; treat. [Obs.] Accept such treatment as a swain affords. Pope.

to retrace one's steps. -- To turn in. (a) To bend inward. (b) To enter for lodgings or entertainment. (c) To go to bed. [Colloq.] -- To turn into, to enter by making a turn; as, to turn into a side street. -- To turn off, to be diverted; to deviate from a course; as, the road turns off to the left. -- To turn on o…

Polite wit; facetiousness. [Obs.] Dryden. Raillery in the sauce of civil entertainment; and without some such tincture of urbanity, good humor falters. L'Estrange.

A stage entertainment of successive separate performances, usually songs, dances, acrobatic feats, dramatic sketches, exhibitions of trained animals, or any specialties. Often loosely called vaudeville show.

One who keeps a house of entertainment; a tavern keeper; an innkeeper. Shak.

Received with gladness; admitted willingly to the house, entertainment, or company; as, a welcome visitor. When the glad soul is made Heaven's welcome guest. Cowper.

In the Middle Ages, a room in a monastery for the reception and entertainment of strangers and pilgrims, and for the relief of paupers. [Called also Xenodocheion.]