sə̇ˈd(y)üs, sēˈ- transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Latin seducere to lead aside, lead away, from se- apart (from sed, se without) + ducere to lead — more at idiot , tow
1. : to persuade into disobedience, disloyalty, or desertion
pleaded guilty … to the charge of endeavoring to seduce a member of his Majesty's forces from his duty of allegiance — Manchester Guardian Weekly
2. : to persuade or entice astray in action or belief
employers have tried to seduce union leaders with rewards of money or advancement — Ed Marciniak
abstract thoughts … seduce his mind away from essential experience — J.W.Aldridge
3. : to persuade or entice into partnership in sexual intercourse : practice seduction upon ; specifically : to persuade (a female) to have sexual intercourse for the first time
4. : to induce or force to come or go
staircases which seduce us upwards to no successful result — Nathaniel Hawthorne
5. : to attract or gain by or as if by quiet subtle charm : coax
trying to seduce her back to health with their futile offerings of plums and tangerines — Jean Stafford
knew how to seduce the interest of his pupils; he did not drive, he led — L.K.Anspacher
a composer who seduced new sounds out of the piano — Time
Synonyms: see lure