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Where does the word "tempt" come from? It comes from Latin temptare, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).
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Where does the word "tempt" come from? It comes from Latin temptare, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).
Tempt’s story begins in Latin: temptare meant “to test, try.” The root of 'attempt'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as tempter. The Devil tempting Christ. It reached English by 1200s as tempt. 'temptation' followed. Today, tempt means to entice to do something unwise.
- Stage 1 · Latin · ancient temptare "to test, try", the root of 'attempt'.
- Stage 2 · Old French · medieval tempter "to test", the Devil tempting Christ.
- Stage 3 · English · 1200s tempt "to test; to entice", 'temptation' followed.