tempt

English

Etymology

From Middle English tempten, from Old French tempter (French: tenter), from Latin temptare, from tentare (“to handle, touch, try, test, tempt”), frequentative of tenere (“to hold”). Displaced native English costning (“temptation”).

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /tɛmpt/
  • Audio (US)(file)
  • Rhymes: -ɛmpt

Verb

tempt (third-person singular simple present tempts, present participle tempting, simple past and past participle tempted)

  1. (transitive) To provoke someone to do wrong, especially by promising a reward; to entice.
    She tempted me to eat the apple.
  2. (transitive) To attract; to allure.
    Its glossy skin tempted me.
  3. (transitive) To provoke something; to court.
    It would be tempting fate.

Derived terms

Translations

Further reading

  • tempt in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
  • tempt in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911
  • tempt at OneLook Dictionary Search

Latvian

Verb

tempt tr., 1st conj., pres. tempju, temp, tempj, past tempu

  1. to gulp
  2. to swill
  3. to quaff

Conjugation

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