tempter
(ˈtɛm(p)tə(r))
Also 4–6 -our.
[ME. temptour = obs. F. tempteur (14th c.), tenteur (16th c.), OF. *tempteor, in nom. temptere, -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 Shakes. 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’. 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. |