¹ entry (ˈɛntri). [12th Century Anglo-Norman entré, entreie, entrie, Anglo-Norman and Old French, Middle French, French entrée, use as noun of feminine past participle of Anglo-Norman and Old French, Middle French, French entrer. Post-classical Latin intrata (also entrata), Old Occitan intrada, entrada, Catalan entrada (13th cent.), Spanish entrada (12th cent.), Portuguese entrada (early 12th cent. as intrada), Italian entrata (early 13th cent.).]

I. Senses relating to physical entry into a place.

I.1.a. The action or an act of entering a place, area, building, etc. Frequently with into. a1325–

to make (also †have) entry: to enter a place, area, building, etc.

A forseyd deuel..in hem..had entre And brouȝt hem in chideing. c1330 (?a1300)

Arthour & Merlin (Auchinleck MS.) (1973) l. 682

I.2. Law. The action or an act of taking up occupation of a piece of land, property, etc., as a legal assertion of ownership; the action or right of entering upon possession of land, property, etc. a1325–

writ of entry noun now historical [after Anglo-Norman bref d'entrée (late 13th cent. or earlier)] a writ for the recovery of land or property from one claiming legal possession of it.

Thentre, season and possession of your seid subgiet..into all the premisses. 1491–2

Rolls of Parliament: Henry VII (Electronic edition) Parl. October 1491 §9. m. 4

I.3.a. Opportunity, right, or permission to enter; access, admission. c1330–

It was Madam, who must not be denied entry. 1678

translation of J. de Préchac, Eng. Princess ii. 194.

I.3.c. Cards. In a trick-taking game, esp. bridge: an opportunity to transfer the lead to oneself, one's partner, or one's dummy; a card providing such an opportunity. 1884–

I.4. The ceremonial entrance of a monarch, emperor, etc., into a city or other place. a1533–

Thus this emperour adressed his entre with his capitaynes. a1533

Lord Berners, translation of A. de Guevara, Golden Boke of Marcus Aurelius (1546) sig. O.vj

I.5. A performer's entrance on to the stage. Also (and earliest) in figurative contexts. ?1566–

No Actor on a Stage..can make a more regular Entry, or a more punctual Exit. 1746

J. Hervey, Refl. Flower-garden 66 in Medit. among Tombs.

I.7. † Apparently: the paying of social calls; a social call. Obsolete. rare. 1755–56

II. A means of entering, and other concrete senses.

II.12. Hunting. A section of thicket exhibiting signs that a deer of a particular size has passed through. Now rare. 1627–

III. Senses relating to beginning or embarking on a particular course of action.

III.15.a. The point in time at which something begins; the beginning or onset of a period of time. Now rare. c1330–

Mirie is þentre of May. c1330 (?a1300)

Arthour & Merlin (Auchinleck MS.) (1973) l. 4675

III.15.b. † The first part or opening words of a chapter, book, speech, etc. Obsolete. a1425–1794

Here bigynnyþ þe entre or þe introductorie or þe inleding into þe book. c1443

R. Pecock, Reule of Crysten Religioun (1927) 30 (Middle English Dictionary)

III.15.c. † The beginning of a journey or undertaking; the initial steps or stage in a course of action. Obsolete. 1449–1715

III.16.a. The action or an act of entering an organisation, institution, religious community, or other group; the taking on of a particular role or duties; accession or appointment to an office, position, etc. 1389–

III.17.a. An individual dance within a larger segment of a masque, ballet, or other performance; spec. a dance serving as an introduction or interlude. Now historical. 1631–

III.17.b. Music. A piece of instrumental music, typically of a fanfare-like character, serving as an introduction, esp. to a suite of dances, or to accompany a ceremonial entrance; a prelude, an overture. Now rare. 1728–

III.18. The start or resumption of a performer's part in a musical composition. 1737–

IV. Senses relating to entering something in a record.

IV.20.a. Something entered in a record; an item in a list, register, account book, diary, etc. a1500–

IV.20.b. The action or an act of entering something in a record, account book, database, etc. 1549–

IV.23.a. A person, group, or thing registered to participate in a contest, race, etc.; an entrant. 1821–

IV.23.b. The number of entrants for a contest, race, etc. 1830–

IV.23.c. The action or act of registering to participate in a contest, race, etc. 1840–

The animals must be registered or eligible for entry and their sire and dam must be in the English Herd Book. 1885

Breeder's Gazette 23 July 116/3

IV.24. An item in a dictionary, encyclopaedia, catalogue, index, or other reference work; a word or phrase treated in a dictionary or encyclopaedia and the portion of text accompanying it. 1855–

China-ware, which is taxed according to the destination to which it is consigned, has 43 entries with 39 sub-entries. 1922

Economic Journal vol. 32 115