Tempted

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

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