tempt

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   To make someone want to have or do something, especially something they should avoid.

   The smell of fresh bread tempted me to buy a loaf.

2. 2
   verb

   To try to persuade someone to do something by offering a reward or pleasure.

   They tempted him to join the team with a high salary.

From Middle English tempten, from Old French tempter (French: tenter), from Latin temptare, from tentare (“to handle, touch, try, test, tempt”), frequentative of tendere (“to stretch”). Displaced native English costning (“temptation”).

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