tempt
Latinto entice, to try, to test
About This Root
From Latin temptāre/tentāre (to feel, try, test, entice). The meaning ranges from neutral testing to moral enticement: attempt (to try), tempt (to entice), temptation, tentative (done as a test), and tentacle (a "feeler" that tests by touch). The semantic drift from "test" to "lure" reflects the fine line between testing and teasing.
Associated Words · 6
attempt
To try to move, by entreaty, by afflictions, or by temptations; to tempt; The action of trying at something
tempt
To entice or attract someone toward something, especially something wrong
temptation
A strong desire to do something one should avoid; something that entices
tentative
Not definite or certain; done hesitantly or experimentally
tentacle
A flexible limb of an animal like an octopus; an insidious influence
tempting
Attractive and hard to resist; enticing