1 a the act or an instance of tempting; the state of being tempted; incitement esp. to wrongdoing. b (the Temptation) the tempting of Christ by the Devil (see Matt. 4).
2 an attractive thing or course of action.
3 archaic putting to the test.
Etymology: ME f. OF tentacion, temptacion f. L temptatio -onis (as TEMPT)
Useful english dictionary. 2012.