- Tempted
- 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.
