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| Date: | 1200-1300 |
| Language: | Old French |
| Origin: | tempter, tenter, from Latin temptare, tentare 'to feel, try, tempt' |
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tempt S3
[transitive]
[transitive]1 to try to persuade someone to do something by making it seem attractive
tempt somebody into doing something 
The new program is designed to tempt young people into studying engineering.
The new program is designed to tempt young people into studying engineering.2 to make someone want to have or do something, even though they know they really should not : If you leave valuables in your car it will tempt thieves.
If you leave valuables in your car it will tempt thieves.3
tempt fate
also tempt providence British Englisha) to do something that involves unnecessary risk and may cause serious problems : Fire officials said developers are tempting fate by building deep into the scenic canyons.
Fire officials said developers are tempting fate by building deep into the scenic canyons.b) to say too confidently that something will have a good result, that there will be no problems etc, when it is likely there will be problems
