See Also: tempt(dictionary)
tempt(dictionary)

tempt (iou)



tempt verb trans. ME.
[Old French tempter var. of Old & mod. French tenter from Latin temptare handle, test. In branch I also partly aphet. from ATTEMPT verb. Cf. TENT verb2.]
I.
Make trial of, put to the test, try the quality, worth, or truth of, esp. in a way involving risk or danger. Long rare or obsolete exc. in tempt fate etc. below. ME.
Bible (AV): Genesis 22:1 God did tempt Abraham. Pope Nor tempt the wrath of Heav'ns avenging Sire.
b. = ATTEMPT verb 4b. rare. ME-L15.
c. Put oneself at risk in or on, risk the dangers of. arch. LME.
Dryden The first to lead the Way, to tempt the Flood.
= ATTEMPT verb 1. LME-M16.
b. = ATTEMPT verb 2b. rare. E-M18.
II.
Try to attract, entice, or incite (a person) to do something, esp. a wrong or forbidden thing, through the promise or prospect of some pleasure or advantage. Also, be attractive to, allure; dispose, incline; induce, persuade. Also foll. by to, to do, into doing. ME.
G. Greene He was tempted to lie but resisted. E. Bowen What can I..tempt you to? The profiteroles here are not always bad. N. Williams Henry had tried to tempt him into making a racist statement.
In biblical translations: try to draw (a person) to make an erroneous statement. arch. LME.
Elicit, evoke, (from). L20.
Angler's Mail It is..a case of less feed and smaller hook baits to tempt bites.
Phrases: be tempted to be strongly disposed to. tempt fate, tempt fortune, tempt Providence, etc., risk provoking the adversity of fate, fortune, Providence, etc.
tempta'bility noun the state or condition of being temptable E19.
temptable adjective able to be tempted; liable or open to temptation: LME.
temptableness noun (rare) L17.