Temptation

Temptation

A temptation is an act that looks appealing to an individual. It is usually used to describe acts with negative connotations and as such, tends to lead a person to regret such actions, for various reasons: legal, social, psychological (including feeling guilt), health, economic, etc. Temptation also describes the coaxing or inducing a person into committing such an act, by manipulation or otherwise of curiosity, desire or fear of loss.

Derivation

Though at present used in many non-religious connotations, the term has implications deeply rooted in Christianity, starting with the story of Eve and the original sin. Many non-Western cultures had no precise equivalent until coming into contact with Europeans; for example, Jesuit missionaries in Brazil, translating the Lord's Prayer into Old Tupi, had to use the Portuguese word "tentação", since Tupi had no word expressing "temptation" in that sense (see Old Tupi language#Sample text).

Contemporary use

"Temptation" is usually used in a loose sense to describe actions which indicate a lack of self control, such as procrastination or eating junk food. Temptation is a common recurring theme in world literature. Temptation has repercussions for even the strongest.

"Temptation" is something that allures, excites, and seduces someone.
Infatuation can also lead to temptation as someone might do something for `love` in spite of his better judgement.

In advertising, temptation is a theme common to many of the marketing and advertising techniques used to make products more attractive for purchase by consumers.


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать курсовую
Synonyms:

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Temptation — Альбом Roman Miroshnichenko Дата выпуска Сентябрь 2009 Записан 2008 2009 …   Википедия

  • Temptation — • An incitement to sin whether by persuasion or by the offer of some good or pleasure Catholic Encyclopedia. Kevin Knight. 2006. Temptation     Temptation      …   Catholic encyclopedia

  • Temptation — Temp*ta tion, n. [OF. temptation, tentation, F. tentation, L. tentatio.] 1. The act of tempting, or enticing to evil; seduction. [1913 Webster] When the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season. Luke iv. 13. [1913… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Temptation — (deutsch: Versuchung) heißt ein Lied, das von Künstlern wie Perry Como, Artie Shaw, Mario Lanza, den Everly Brothers u. a. zu Hitparadenehren gebracht wurde, siehe Temptation (Lied) eine Langspielplatte der Gruppe Monrose, siehe Temptation… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • temptation — (n.) early 13c., from O.Fr. temptation (12c., Mod.Fr. tentation), from L. temptationem (nom. temptatio), from pp. stem of temptare (see TEMPT (Cf. tempt)) …   Etymology dictionary

  • temptation — index bribery, cause (reason), hush money, incentive, provocation, seduction Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton …   Law dictionary

  • temptation — [n] lure, attraction allurement, appeal, attractiveness, bait, blandishment, coaxing, come on*, decoy, draw, enticement, fancy, fascination, hankering, inducement, inveiglement, invitation, provocation, pull, seducement, seduction, snare,… …   New thesaurus

  • temptation — ► NOUN 1) the action of tempting or the state of being tempted. 2) a tempting thing …   English terms dictionary

  • temptation — [temp tā′shən] n. [OFr < LL(Ec) temptatio < L, an attack, trial] 1. a tempting or being tempted 2. something that tempts; enticement …   English World dictionary

  • Temptation — Cette page d’homonymie répertorie les différents sujets et articles partageant un même nom. Pour les articles homonymes, voir Temptations. « Temptation » est un mot anglais qui signifie « tentation ». Cinéma et télév …   Wikipédia en Français

  • temptation — n. 1) to overcome, resist temptation 2) to be exposed to, face temptation 3) to succumb to temptation 4) to place, put temptation in smb. s way 5) irresistible, strong temptation * * * [temp teɪʃ(ə)n] face temptation put temptation in smb. s way… …   Combinatory dictionary

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”