Past tense of entertain, meaning to provide amusement or enjoyment to others, or to consider an idea or possibility. Can also mean to receive guests hospitably.
From Old French 'entretenir,' meaning 'to hold together' or 'maintain,' composed of 'entre' (between) and 'tenir' (to hold). The meaning evolved from 'maintaining' to 'keeping someone occupied' to 'amusing' by the 16th century.
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