 1 definition found
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:
Tempt \Tempt\, verb (used with an object) [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.
God did tempt Abraham. --Gen. xxii.
1.
Ye shall not tempt the Lord your God. --Deut. vi.
16.
2. To lead, or endeavor to lead, into evil; to entice to what
is wrong; to seduce.
Every man is tempted when he is drawn away of his
own lust, and enticed. --James i. 14.
3. To endeavor to persuade; to induce; to invite; to incite;
to provoke; to instigate.
Tempt not the brave and needy to despair. --Dryden.
Nor tempt the wrath of heaven's avenging Sire.
--Pope.
4. To endeavor to accomplish or reach; to attempt.
Ere leave be given to tempt the nether skies.
--Dryden.
Syn: To entice; allure; attract; decoy; seduce.
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