Definition: Temptation

From New World Encyclopedia

Etymology

From Old French temptacion, from Latin temptatio. Morphologically tempt + -ation.

Noun

temptation (countable and uncountable, plural temptations)

  1. The act of tempting, or provoking someone to do wrong, often involving enticement with a reward.
    My classmates' temptation of games and music made it hard to study.
  2. The condition of being tempted.
    Lead us not into temptation.
  3. Something attractive, tempting or seductive; an inducement or enticement.
    The temptation of my wife's singing almost made me stop writing my article.
  4. Pressure applied to one's thinking designed to create wrong emotions which will eventually lead to wrong actions.

Derived terms

  • temptational
  • temptationless

Credits

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