[f. as prec. + -ING2.] That tempts.
1. That entices to evil, or with evil design.
1546. Bale, Eng. Votaries, Pref. A iij. The more part of their temptynge spretes they haue made she deuyls.
1644. Milton, Jdgm. Bucer, xliii. Wks. 1851, IV. 336. Let us see what our Lord answer’d to the tempting Pharisees about Divorce, and second Marriage.
1850. Mrs. Jameson, Leg. Monast. Ord. (1863), 329. A tempting demon.
2. Seductive, attractive, alluring, inviting.
1596. Shaks., Tam. Shr., Induct. i. 118. With kinde embracements, tempting kisses.
1680. Otway, Orphan, V. i. If a tempting Fair you find That’s very lovely, very kind.
1818. Sir T. Lawrence, 23 May, in Williams, Life & Corr. (1831), II. iii. 173. ’Tis such a tempting offer.
a. 1794. Susanna Blamire, Nun’s Return, in Poet. Wks. (1842), 79.
| Once through a vale of tempting wiles I stray’d, | |
| Till dusky evening drew her silent shade. |
1855. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., xviii. IV. 135. The profits of the Indian trade were so tempting.
† 3. Afflicting, distressing, ‘trying.’ Obs.
13[?]. E. E. Allit. P., B. 283. Felle temptande tene towched his hert.
4. Comb., as tempting-looking.
1875. J. P. Hopps, Princ. Relig., xv. (1878), 47. If you are told not to eat this or that tempting-looking berry, and you disobey and get poisoned.
Hence Temptingly adv., Temptingness.
1593. Nashe, Christ’s T., 2 b. They erred most temptingly and contemptuously.
1802. Bentham, Mem. & Corr., Wks. 1843, X. 396. My first act of mendicancy, and that extorted from me by the mere temptingness of the opportunity.
1877. Lady Brassey, Voy. Sunbeam, xiv. (1878), 246. Articles of apparel are temptingly displayed.
