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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Temptatio(u)n, Tentatio(u)n, n. Also: temptacio(u)n(e, -coun, -tyown, temtatio(u)n, tentacione, -tione. [ME and e.m.E. temptaciun, tentaciun (both a1225), temptacyon (Rolle), temptation (Wyclif), tentation (1534), OF temptaciun, -ation, tentation, L. tempt-, tentātiōn-, f. temptāre, tentāre.]

1. The action of tempting or the fact of being tempted to wrongdoing; enticement, provocation to evil. Freq. const. of the Devil. b. An instance or occasion of temptation. Also pl.(a) a1499 Contempl. Sinn. 334 (Asl.).
In spirituale battall & temptacioun Men may wyn tryvmphe a1499 Contempl. Sinn. 1023 (Asl.).
Thire ar wordis of walour … Agane all truble and temptacoun 1490 Irland Mir. I 97/23.
The temptacioune of the innemy 1562-3 Winȝet II 36/11.
His doctrine mycht be callit nocht sa mekle ædificatioun as temptatioun of the Kirk a1578 Pitsc. II 239/16.
That the temtatioun of the deuill causit him to commit that filthie cryme ?1661-5 M. Bruce Soul-Confirmation 18.
A black hour of temptation, and a sharp bite of tryal(b) 1554 Duncan Laideus Test. 160.
I drew ane draucht I wat mair treasonabill By tentatioun of Sathan 1564 Knox VI 307.
Lead us not into tentation 1581 Sat. P. xliv 83.
Sathan … tentation did sau Into the hairtis of men 1590-1 R. Bruce Serm. 166.
Subject to continuall tentation, fashrie, and vexation 1633 Johnston Diary I 2.
Lord, eyther keape me from being tempted; or in the tentation, let me find thy reneuing grace sufficient 1644 Spalding II 502.
I will … blesse His holy name … who … hath drawen me out of the great waters of tentation and trouble, wherewith I was compassed 1651 Kirkcaldy Presb. 368.
The sessioun of Dysert having represented to the presbytrie the infirmitie of Mr. William Nairne … and withall the necessitie of the people in the hour of tentation … desyred … to employ a young man … to help him 1679 Kingarth Par. Rec. 118.
Elspa Frisel … throw the devils tentatioun … sold the sheep to them on the sabbath day 1689 Edgar Old Church Life II 366.
Mr. William Gemmill … made … a voluntarie confession of his sad failing in the hour of tentationb. c1420 Wynt. v 1478.
And [qwhen] this counsall wes all done Hyr temptatyown [C. temptacion, W. temptatioun] cessyt sone c1450 Cr. Deyng (STS) 143.
The temptacione at man tholys in the hour of ded is pryd 1562 St. A. Kirk S. 173.
To have performit and brocht to pas his consavit lust and tentacione 1562-3 Winȝet II 47/18.
The tentatioun of Origine 1562-3 Winȝet II 49/27.
A weray perelous tentatioun of sa grete a persoun … dounled mony 1664 Lamont Diary 169.
Captaine [blank] Swintone … was beheaded … for killing his owne wife … Satan sugesting this tentation to him, he … perpetrat this veile deidpl. c1420 Wynt. v 1238.
Haly watyr … made he … Agayne all yl temptatyownys a1500 Henr. Fab. 1132.
This tod I likkin to temptationis 1558-66 Knox II 28.
So is the testimony of ane cleir conscience to me ane stay … how vehement that ever the tentatiouns appeir 1640 Rec. Kirk Scotl. 283.
Against all suspicions, suggestions and tentations to the contrary 1641 Acts V (1817) 453/1.
I have beene … vnder great miserie … assaulted with all possible tentations to quite my covenant 1644 Rec. Kirk Scotl. 416.
The tentations and difficulties which ye meet with there 1673 Aberd. Eccl. Rec. 297.
Promeiseing in the Lords strenth to stryue against such tentationes a1692 Kirk in Il Cappellano delle Fate 48.
Unless a man who resides a while in London deeply remember his God … tis hardly possibl for him to escape tentations of drinking & whordom 1694 Annandale Corr. 81.
Much will depend opon the chanselars firmnes, who may have temtations anof to the contraire 1695 Comm. Univ. II (Glasg.) 269.
The pluralitie here of our number doe think the fixation of all classes … verie necessar, for these reasons: 1^o That thereby tentations to animosities among the regents would be removed

c. transf. A source of temptation. a1660 Coll. Aberd. & B. 192.
Fourtein scoir chalderes of meill and beir was a sore tentatione 1664 Reg. Privy C. 3 Ser. I 692.
My wife … heth bein … not onlie no tentatione nor weakning discouragement to me but a chearfull companion 1695 Glasg. Univ. Mun. II 520.
The inconveniencies of a printed course … will be a tentation both to parents and students of coming too late [etc.]

2. The action or process of testing or proving, a trial or test. 1551 Hamilton Cat. 21.
Thair is temptatioun quhairby man temptis God 1562-3 Winȝet II 52/9.
Gif … ony techear in the kirk sal wauer … fra the fayth that the prouidence of God sufferis this to be to the temptatioun of ws quhidder we luue oure God or nocht 1663 Reg. Privy C. 3 Ser. I 674.
The Lord … heth helped and honoured you to be found amongst them that have continowed with Jesus Christ in his tentations