Main Entry: tempt

Pronunciation: \ˈtem(p)t\

Function: transitive verb

Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French tempter, tenter, from Latin temptare, tentare to feel, try

Date: 13th century

1 : to entice to do wrong by promise of pleasure or gain
2 a obsolete : to make trial of : test b : to try presumptuously : provoke <tempt fate> c : to risk the dangers of
3 a : to induce to do something b : to cause to be strongly inclined <was tempted to call it quits>

synonyms see lure

— tempt·able \ˈtem(p)-tə-bəl\ adjective