1  definition  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  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. 

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