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tempt

(tĕmpt)

v. tempt·ed, tempt·ing, tempts

v.tr.

1. To try to get (someone) to do wrong, especially by a promise of reward. See Synonyms at lure.

2. To be inviting or attractive to: A second helping tempted me. We refused the offer even though it tempted us.

3. To provoke or to risk provoking: Don't tempt fate.

4. To cause to be strongly disposed: He was tempted to walk out.

v.intr.

To be attractive or inviting: a meal that tempts.

[Middle English tempten, from Old French tempter, from Latin temptāre, to feel, try.]

tempta·ble adj.

tempter n.

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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