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.

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.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)