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tempting |
3 definitions 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. From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Tempting \Tempt"ing\, a. Adapted to entice or allure; attractive; alluring; seductive; enticing; as tempting pleasures. -- {Tempt"ing*ly}, adv -- {Tempt"ing*ness}, n. From WordNet r 1.6 [wn]: tempting adj 1: highly attractive and able to arouse hope or desire; "an alluring prospect"; "her alluring smile"; "the voice was low and beguiling"; "difficult to say no to an enticing advertisement"; "a tempting invitation" [syn: {alluring}, {beguiling}, {enticing}] 2: very pleasantly inviting; "a tantalizing aroma"; "a tempting repast" [syn: {tantalizing}]
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