American Dictionary of the English Language

Dictionary Search

Temptation


TEMPTA'TION, noun The act of tempting; enticement to evil by arguments, by flattery, or by the offer of some real or apparent good.

When the devil had ended all the temptation he departed from him for a season. Luke 4:13.

1. Solicitation of the passions; enticements to evil proceeding from the prospect of pleasure or advantage.

2. The state of being tempted or enticed to evil. When by human weakness you are led into temptation resort to prayer for relief.

3. Trial.

Lead us not into temptation

4. That which is presented to the mind as an inducement to evil.

Dare to be great without a guilty crown,

View it, and lay the bright temptation down.

5. In colloquial language, an allurement to any thing indifferent, or even good.