Search the Dictionary

tting, 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.

That which abridges or cuts short; hence, an entertainment that makes the time pass quickly. [Obs.] What abridgment have you for this evening What mask What music Shak.

A piece performed after a play, usually a farce or other small entertainment.

An entertainment at which a medley of dishes is set on at the same time.

To invite; as, to ask one to an entertainment.

or some common purpose, esp. for deliberation and legislation, for worship, or for social entertainment.

An artistic dance performed as a theatrical entertainment, or an interlude, by a number of persons, usually women. Sometimes, a scene accompanied by pantomime and dancing.

A feast; a sumptuous entertainment of eating and drinking; often, a complimentary or ceremonious feast, followed by speeches.

A social entertainment, where many people assemble, usually in the open air, at which one or more large animals are roasted or broiled whole.

Hence: What is served on a table as food; stated meals; provision; entertainment; -- usually as furnished for pay; as, to work for one's board; the price of board.

By extension: To supply what is needed or desired, at theatrical or musical entertainments; -- followed by for or to.

That which promotes good spirits or cheerfulness; provisions prepared for a feast; entertainment; as, a table loaded with good cheer.

A house of entertainment, where guests are supplied with coffee and other refreshments, and where men meet for conversation. The coffeehouse must not be dismissed with a cursory mention. It might indeed, at that time, have been not improperly called a most important political institution . . . The coffeehouses were the…

Act or process of administering comfort. [Obs.] The gentle comfortment and entertainment of the said embassador. Hakluyt.

A musical entertainment in which several voices or instruments take part. Visit by night your lady's chamber window With some sweet concert. Shak. And boding screech owls make the concert full. Shak. Concert pitch. See under Pitch.

Of or relating to a feast or entertainment, or to eating and drinking, with accompanying festivity; festive; social; gay; jovial. Which feasts convivial meetings we did name. Denham.

A service of pastry, fruits, or sweetmeats, at the close of a feast or entertainment; pastry, fruits, etc., forming the last course at dinner. "An 't please your honor," quoth the peasant, "This same dessert is not so pleasant." Pope. Dessert spoon, a spoon used in eating dessert; a spoon intermediate in size between a…

An entertainment; a feast. A grand political dinner. Tennyson.

A short ballet, or other entertainment, between the acts of a play. Smart.

to fall, etc.; the process can be repeated an indefinite number of times. Derived from an entertainment using dominoes arranged in a row, each standing on edge and therefore easily knocked over; when the first is made to fall against the next, it starts a sequence which ends when all have fallen. For amusement, people…