enter

views updated May 17 2018

en·ter / ˈentər/ • v. 1. come or go into (a place): [tr.] she entered the kitchen [intr.] the door opened and Karl entered fig. reading the Bible, we enter into an amazing new world of thoughts. ∎  [intr.] used as a stage direction to indicate when a character comes on stage: enter Hamlet. ∎  [tr.] (of a man) insert the penis into the vagina of (a woman).2. [tr.] begin to be involved in: in 1941 America entered the war. ∎  become a member of or start working in (an institution or profession): that autumn, he entered college. ∎  register as a competitor or participant in (a tournament, race, or examination). ∎  register (a person, animal, or thing) to compete or participate in a tournament, race, or examination. ∎  [intr.] (of a particular performer in an ensemble) start or resume playing or singing.3. write or key (information) in a book, computer, etc., so as to record it: children can enter the data into the computer. ∎  Law submit (a statement) in an official capacity, usually in a court of law: an attorney entered a plea of guilty on her behalf.• n. (also enter key) a key on a computer keyboard that is used to perform various functions, such as executing a command or selecting options on a menu.PHRASAL VERBS: enter into become involved in (an activity, situation, or matter): they have entered into a relationship. ∎  undertake to bind oneself by (an agreement or other commitment): the council entered into an agreement with a private firm. ∎  form part of or be a factor in: medical ethics also enter into the question.enter on/upon1. formal begin (an activity or job); start to pursue (a particular course in life): he entered upon a turbulent political career.2. Law (as a legal entitlement) go freely into property as or as if the owner.

Enter

views updated May 11 2018

ENTER

To form a constituent part; to become a part or partaker; to penetrate; share or mix with, as tin enters into the composition of pewter. To go or come into a place or condition; to make or effect an entrance; to cause to go into or be received into.

In the law of real property, to go upon land for the purpose of taking possession of it. In strict usage, the entering is preliminary to the taking possession but in common parlance the entry is now merged in the taking possession.

To place anything before a court, or upon or among the records, in a formal and regular manner, and usually in writing as in to enter an appearance, or to enter a judgment. In this sense the word is nearly equivalent to setting down formally in writing, in either a full or abridged form.

enter

views updated May 21 2018

enter go or come in XIII; go or come into, cause to go in, put in or into XIV. — (O)F. entrer :- L. intrāre, f. intrā within (see INTRA-).

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