I. ˈen.trən(t)s noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English entraunce, from Middle French entrance, from entrer to enter + -ance — more at enter
1.
a. : the act or an instance of physical entering : ingress
looked up at her entrance into the room
the entrance of the army into the city
made an entrance through the window
the entrance of air and sunshine is desirable
b. : the means or place for physical entering (as a door, gate, or passage)
all entrances to the city are guarded by armed men
ships threaded their way down this narrow entrance into the bay
c. : a particular mode or manner of entering
so many … were trying to copy that entrance — Barnaby Conrad
though he had given no thought to an entrance , he could not have perfected a better one — Hamilton Basso
2.
a. : the act or fact of entering (as upon an office or course of action)
made his entrance into office one month after the election
the entrance of new firms into a highly competitive field
marked the nation's entrance into the role of a great power
a country's entrance into war
entrance into college was a great event in his life
b. : a means of entering (as upon a condition or pursuit)
schools of nursing are the principal entrance to the profession
books were for the child the entrance to a new and kindlier world
3. : liberty, power, or permission to enter : admission
applied for entrance at a number of schools
he did not have the price … but figured he could wangle an entrance — H.A.Sinclair
4. : the first part or commencement of a period of time
at the entrance of the night silence fell upon the village
at the entrance of the holiday season an unwonted bustle and activity began
5. capitalized
[translation of Late Greek eisodos ]
: a solemn procession through the body of the church to the bema in the liturgy of the Eastern Church — see great entrance , little entrance
6.
a. : the point at which a voice or instrument part begins in ensemble music especially after a rest
a difficult entrance
b. : the manner in which such a beginning is made
a ragged entrance
7. : the bow or entire forepart of a ship below the waterline — compare run ; see ship illustration
8.
a. : the first appearance of an actor in a scene
b. : an opening at the side or rear of a stage scene by which to enter or exit
II. ə̇n.ˈtran(t)s, en.-, -raa(ə)n-, -rain-, -rȧn- transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: en- (I) + trance (n.)
1. : to put into a trance
the loud, rapid breathing of the entranced medium — A.G.N.Flew
2. : to overpower or carry away with emotion (as with delight, wonder, or rapture)
the beauty of the land entranced them — Joseph Baily
able to hold an audience entranced for 20 minutes at a time — W.S.Maugham