1. One who receives a guest; one who shows hospitality; a host. Also fig.
1576. Fleming, Panoplie Ep., 116. Democritus Sicyonius is … my friendly interteiner.
1670. Walton, Life Wotton, 51. He was a great lover of his Neighbours, and a bountiful entertainer of them very often at his Table.
1772–84. Cook, Voy. (1790), VI. 2220. Their entertainer was very corpulent.
1829. Lytton, Disowned (ed. 3), I. 29. Having thanked his entertainers for their hospitality.
1856. Mrs. Browning, Aur. Leigh, IV. 728. A graceful diner-out And entertainer more than hospitable.
fig. a. 1656. Bp. Hall, Rem. Wks. (1660), 89 (T.). We become the receptacles and entertainers of his [God’s] good Spirit.
b. One who admits to consideration (requests or proposals); one who harbors or cherishes (sentiment, etc.).
1610. Shaks., Temp., II. i. 17. When euery greefe is entertaind, That’s offer’d comes to th’entertainer.
1612–5. Bp. Hall, Contempl. N. T., IV. xxx. (1634), 258. Good purposes when they are not held, doe so farre turne enemies to the entertainer of them.
2. One who or that which furnishes amusement; one who gives a public ‘entertainment.’
a. 1535. More, On the Passion, Wks. 1273/2. She was content to be talkatiue with a straunger, & wax a proper enterteiner.
1793. (title) The Wonderful Magazine, and Marvellous Chronicle; or New Weekly Entertainer.
1870. H. Smart, Race for Wife, i. 5/1. Circuses, conjurors, lecturers, monologue entertainers, etc.
† 3. That which keeps up or promotes. Obs.
1635. Pagitt, Christianogr. (1646), 187. Equality in government is the entertainer of confusion.
