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- DictionaryEn·ter·tain·ment/ˌen(t)ərˈtānmənt/
noun
- 1. the action of providing or being provided with amusement or enjoyment: "everyone just sits in front of the TV for entertainment"
Sep 28, 2017 · 1983, from info- + entertainment. common suffix of Latin origin forming nouns, originally from French and representing Latin -mentum, which was added to verb stems to make nouns indicating the result or product of the action of the verb or the means or instrument of the action.
Oct 13, 2021 · entertain. (v.) late 15c., "to keep up, maintain, to keep (someone) in a certain frame of mind," from Old French entretenir "hold together, stick together, support" (12c.), from entre- "among" (from Latin inter; see inter-) + tenir "to hold" (from Latin tenere, from PIE root *ten- "to stretch").
The earliest known use of the noun entertainment is in the Middle English period (1150—1500). OED's earliest evidence for entertainment is from around 1475. entertainment is of multiple origins.
Jun 2, 2024 · An activity designed to give pleasure, enjoyment, diversion, amusement, or relaxation to an audience, no matter whether the audience participates passively as in watching opera or a movie, or actively as in games . 1957, William O. Douglas, Roth v. United States:
The Oxford English Dictionary gives Latin and French origins for the word "entertain", including inter (among) + tenir (to hold) as derivations, giving translations of "to hold mutually" or "to hold intertwined" and "to engage, keep occupied, the attention, thoughts, or time (of a person)".
Mar 8, 2014 · In fact: Here's the origin of "Entertain": Late Middle English: from French entretenir, based on Latin inter ‘among’ + tenere ‘to hold.’. The word originally meant ‘maintain, continue,’ later ‘maintain in a certain condition, treat in a certain way,’ also ‘show hospitality’ (late 15th cent).
The meaning of ENTERTAINMENT is amusement or diversion provided especially by performers. How to use entertainment in a sentence.
Entertainment etymology. English. English word entertainment comes from Old French (842-ca. 1400) entretenement.
Dec 17, 2017 · Entertain comes from the juxtaposition of French entre which comes from Latin Inter both words meaning 'together, or among', and Latin tenere, which means 'to hold'. So, literally, entertain means to 'hold or support together'. Thank you kind stranger!
The online etymology dictionary (etymonline) is the internet's go-to source for quick and reliable accounts of the origin and history of English words, phrases, and idioms. It is professional enough to satisfy academic standards, but accessible enough to be used by anyone.
