Also 4–6 -our. [ME. temptoir = obs. F. tempteur (14th c.), tenteur (16th c.), OF. *tempteor, in nom. templere, -teire (13–14th c. in Godef.):—L. temptātōr-em, agent-n. from temptāre to tempt.]
1. One who or that which tempts or entices to evil; the tempter, (spec.) the devil.
a. 1380. St. Bernard, 717, in Horstm., Altengl. Leg. (1878), 53. To þe temptour softeliche He seide þeos wordus.
1382. Wyclif, Matt. iv. 3. And the tempter cummynge niȝ, saide to hym, Ȝif thou be Goddis sone, say that these stoons be maad looues.
1533. Gau, Richt Vay (S.T.S.), 95. We haiff iii tempers (and we ar tempit be iii vayis) quhilk is of ye body of the dewil and of ye vardil.
1548. Temptour [see TEMPT v. 4].
1603. Shaks., Meas. for M., II. ii. 163. The Tempter, or the Tempted, who sins most?
1673. O. Walker, Educ., 60. That the Temter may find no bait to cover his poyson.
1788. Wesley, Wks. (1872), VI. 377. Because he is continually inciting men to evil, he is emphatically called ‘the Tempter.’
1837. W. Apess, Exp. 5 Christian Indians (ed. 2), 42. My burden and my fears were gone, the tempter had fled, and I was clothed, and in my right mind, sitting at the feet of Jesus.
1907. Sanday, Life Christ in rec. Res., I. i. 28. There are three scenes in which the Son of God is assailed by the Tempter.
† 2. One who tests; a taster of ale or bread. Obs.
c. 1450. Godstow Reg., 101. That they shold have ben tempters or tapsters of brede and ale in the said towne.
