Tempt

Tempt
Tempt Tempt, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Tempted}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Tempting}.] [OE. tempten, tenten, from OF. tempter, tenter, F. tenter, fr. L. tentare, temptare, to handle, feel, attack, to try, put to the test, urge, freq. from tendere, tentum, and tensum, to stretch. See {Thin}, and cf. {Attempt}, {Tend}, {Taunt}, {Tent} a pavilion, {Tent} to probe.] 1. To put to trial; to prove; to test; to try. [1913 Webster]

God did tempt Abraham. --Gen. xxii. 1. [1913 Webster]

Ye shall not tempt the Lord your God. --Deut. vi. 16. [1913 Webster]

2. To lead, or endeavor to lead, into evil; to entice to what is wrong; to seduce. [1913 Webster]

Every man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. --James i. 14. [1913 Webster]

3. To endeavor to persuade; to induce; to invite; to incite; to provoke; to instigate. [1913 Webster]

Tempt not the brave and needy to despair. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]

Nor tempt the wrath of heaven's avenging Sire. --Pope. [1913 Webster]

4. To endeavor to accomplish or reach; to attempt. [1913 Webster]

Ere leave be given to tempt the nether skies. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]

Syn: To entice; allure; attract; decoy; seduce. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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Synonyms:
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Look at other dictionaries:

  • tempt — S3 [tempt] v [T] [Date: 1200 1300; : Old French; Origin: tempter, tenter, from Latin temptare, tentare to feel, try, tempt ] 1.) to try to persuade someone to do something by making it seem attractive tempt sb into doing sth ▪ The new program is… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • tempt — [ tempt ] verb transitive ** 1. ) often passive to make you want to do or have something, especially something that is not good for you: The store windows were lit invitingly, tempting the late shoppers. Do you want another drink? I m tempted. be …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • tempt´er — tempt «tehmpt», transitive verb. 1. to make or try to make (a person) do something: »The sight of the food tempted the hungry man to steal. SYNONYM(S): lure, inveigle, decoy. 2. to appeal strongly to; attract: »That candy tempts me. SYNONYM( …   Useful english dictionary

  • tempt — ► VERB 1) entice (someone) to do something against their better judgement. 2) (be tempted to do) have an urge or inclination to do. 3) attract; charm. ● tempt fate (or providence) Cf. ↑tempt providence …   English terms dictionary

  • tempt — interj. = timpt 1: Tame akies mirksnyje tempt jį už apykaklės, jis drioks aukštynelkas TS1904,4(Vaižg) …   Dictionary of the Lithuanian Language

  • tempt — [tempt] vt. [ME tempten < OFr tempter < LL(Ec) temptare < L, to try the strength of, urge < IE * temp : see TEMPER] 1. Archaic to test; try 2. to try to persuade; induce or entice, esp. to something immoral or sensually pleasurable 3 …   English World dictionary

  • tempt — index bait (lure), cajole, coax, entice, entrap, interest, inveigle, lure, motivate …   Law dictionary

  • tempt — (v.) early 13c., from O.Fr. tempter (12c.), from L. temptare to feel, try out, attempt to influence, test. Related: Tempted; tempting in the sense of inviting is from 1590s …   Etymology dictionary

  • tempt — v. allure, entice, tantalize, seduce …   English contemporary dictionary

  • tempt — entice, inveigle, *lure, decoy, seduce Analogous words: allure, *attract: *invite, solicit, court, woo: *induce, persuade, prevail, get …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

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