Tempt
/tɛmpt/noun
To try to persuade someone to do something they may not want to do, especially something unwise or morally wrong.
Did you know?Tempt comes through Old French and Latin from a verb meaning “to test” or “try,” which is why temptation has always carried the energy of a spiritual trial, not just a desire.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*temp-
“to stretch, press, or try”
Latin
Latin
temptāre
“to test, try, handle, or attempt”
Old French
OF
tenter
“to try, test, or tempt”
Middle English
English
tempten
“to try, test, or entice into wrongdoing”
Modern English
English
tempt
“to entice or lure someone toward desire or wrongdoing”