temptation Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun something that seduces or has the quality to seduce
    enticement.
  2. noun the desire to have or do something that you know you should avoid
    • he felt the temptation and his will power weakened
  3. noun the act of influencing by exciting hope or desire
    enticement.
    • his enticements were shameless

WordNet

Temp*ta"tion noun
Etymology
OF. temptation, tentation, F. tentation, L. tentatio.
Definitions
  1. The act of tempting, or enticing to evil; seduction.
    When the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season. Luke iv. 13.
  2. The state of being tempted, or enticed to evil.
    Lead us not into temptation. Luke xi. 4.
  3. That which tempts; an inducement; an allurement, especially to something evil.
    Dare to be great, without a guilty crown; View it, and lay the bright temptation down. Dryden.

Webster 1913