Search the Dictionary

A place for public musical entertainments; specif. (Eng.), esp. a public hall for vaudeville performances, in which smoking and drinking are usually allowed in the auditorium.

A social entertainment of which music is the leading feature; a musical party. [Colloq.]

An entertainment consisting chiefly of dancing by professional dancing (or Nautch) girls. [India]

A place of entertainment, as for moving picture exhibition, charging a fee or admission price of five cents. [U. S.]

A sentiment; an opinion. The extravagant notion they entertain of themselves. Addison. A perverse will easily collects together a system of notions to justify itself in its obliquity. J. H. Newman.

A reason or excuse; a motive; a persuasion. Whose manner was, all passengers to stay, And entertain with her occasions sly. Spenser. On occasion, in case of need; in necessity; as convenience requires; occasionally. "That we might have intelligence from him on occasion," De Foe.

ection, in writing, to pay money, to furnish supplies, to admit to a building, a place of entertainment, or the like; as, orders for blankets are large. In those days were pit orders -- beshrew the uncomfortable manager who abolished them. Lamb.

An elaborate exhibition devised for the entertainmeut of a distinguished personage, or of the public; a show, spectacle, or display. The gaze of fools, and pageant of a day ! Pope. We love the man, the paltry pageant you. Cowper.

A dramatic and spectacular entertainment of which dumb acting as well as burlesque dialogue, music, and dancing by Clown, Harlequin, etc., are features.

mmonly, in the United States, a drawing-room, or the room where visitors are received and entertained.

A number of persons invited to a social entertainment; a select company; as, a dinner party; also, the entertainment itself; as, to give a party.

om the service magazine to the piece. -- Pass check, a ticket of admission to a place of entertainment, or of readmission for one who goes away in expectation of returning.

Formerly, an entertainment at which each person contributed some dish to a common table; now, an excursion or pleasure party in which the members partake of a collation or repast (usually in the open air, and from food carried by themselves).

prepare ammunition and provisions for troops; to prepare ships for defence; to prepare an entertainment. Milton. That they may prepare a city for habitation. Ps. cvii. 36

rchdeacon, now to the ecclesiastical commissioners, by an incumbent, as a commutation for entertainment at the time of visitation; -- called also proxy. Procuration money (Law), money paid for procuring a loan. Blackstone.

he order to be pursued, or the subjects embraced, in any public exercise, performance, or entertainment; a preliminary sketch. Programme music (Mus.), descriptive instrumental music which requires an argument or programme to explain the meaning of its several movements.

t. See under Credit. -- Public funds. See Fund, 3. -- Public house, an inn, or house of entertainment. -- Public law. (a) See International law, under International. (b) A public act or statute. -- Public nuisance. (Law) See under Nuisance. -- Public orator. (Eng. Universities) See Orator, 3. -- Public stores, mi…

ief. (i) To raise; to erect; to build; as, to put up a tent, or a house. (j) To lodge; to entertain; as, to put up travelers. -- To put up a job, to arrange a plot. [Slang]

Place of lodging or temporary residence; shelter; entertainment; -- usually in the plural. The banter turned as to what quarters each would find. W. Irving.

Furnished with quarters; provided with shelter or entertainment.