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tempter

[temp-ter]
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noun
  1. a person or thing that tempts, especially to evil.
  2. the Tempter, Satan; the devil.
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Origin of tempter

1350–1400; tempt + -er1; replacing Middle English temptour < Old French temptere, temptëor < Late Latin temptātōr-, stem of temptātor tempter (to sin), Latin: one who makes an attempt; see tempt, -tor
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words

courtesansirenseductresstemptresscoquetteflirtcharmervampenchantresslurer

Examples from the Web for tempter

Historical Examples

  • But the tempter came, and from that time she began to droop.

    Punchinello, Vol. 1. No. 20, August 13, 1870

    Various

  • The tempter was sure that the battle was won, and smiled contentedly.

    Within the Law

    Marvin Dana

  • The tempter, in making a second attack, became more positive.

  • Whoever was the tempter, that is not the thing; nor what the temptation.

    Clarissa, Volume 3 (of 9)

    Samuel Richardson

  • That way, whispered the Tempter, was too straight and simple.

    The Snare

    Rafael Sabatini

British Dictionary definitions for tempter

Tempter

noun
  1. the Tempter Satan regarded as trying to lead men into sin
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Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for tempter

n.

mid-14c., from Middle French tempteur (14c.), Old French *tempteor, from Latin temptatorem, agent noun from temptare (see tempt). Originally especially of the Devil.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper