v.tr. 1 entice or incite (a person) to do a wrong or forbidden thing (tempted him to steal it). 2 allure, attract. 3 risk provoking (esp. an abstract force or power) (would be tempting fate to try it). 4 archaic make trial of; try the resolution of (God did tempt Abraham). be tempted to be strongly disposed to (I am tempted to question this). temptable adj. temptability n.
[ ME f. OF tenter, tempter test f. L temptare handle, test, try ]