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Origin and history of tempter

tempter(n.)

mid-14c., temptour, "one who solicits to sin; that which entices to evil" (originally especially the devil), from Old French tempteur (14c.), *tempteor, or directly from Latin temptatorem, agent noun from temptare "to feel, try out" (see tempt). Probably in part also a native formation from tempt. The variant temptator is attested from mid-15c.

also from mid-14c.

Entries linking to tempter

tempt(v.)

c. 1200, tempten, of the devil, flesh, etc., "draw or entice to evil or sin, lure (someone) from God's law; be alluring or seductive," from Old French tempter, tenter (12c.) and directly from Latin temptare "to feel, try out, test; attempt to influence," a variant of tentare "handle, touch, try, test." De Vaan says this is from a PIE *tempto-, from a verbal root meaning "to touch, feel," "for which the root *temp- 'to stretch' seems a good candidate." See temple (n.2).

It is attested from late 14c. in the meaning "provoke, defy" (God, fate, etc.). Related: Tempted; tempting; temptable; temptability.

The Latin alteration is "explainable only as an ancient error due to some confusion" [Century Dictionary], but there is a pattern; compare attentare, a variant of attemptare (as in (Modern French attenter). Also compare Spanish pronto (adv.) from Latin promptus. 

temptress(n.)

"woman who entices," 1590s, from tempter + -ess.

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