资料来源 : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

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.