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Webster 1913 Edition


Entice

En-tice′

,
Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Enticed
;
p. pr. & vb. n.
Enticing
.]
[OE.
entisen
,
enticen
, OF.
enticier
,
entichier
; pref.
en-
(L.
in
) + a word of uncertain origin, cf. OF.
atisier
to stir a fire, provoke, L.
titio
firebrand, or MHG.
zicken
to push.]
To draw on, by exciting hope or desire; to allure; to attract;
as, the bait
enticed
the fishes
. Often in a bad sense: To lead astray; to induce to evil; to tempt;
as, the sirens
enticed
them to listen
.
Roses blushing as they blow,
And
enticing
men to pull.
Beau. & Fl.
My son, if sinners
entice
thee, consent thou not.
Prov. i. 10.
Syn. – To allure; lure; coax; decoy; seduce; tempt; inveigle; incite; persuade; prevail on. See
Allure
.

Webster 1828 Edition


Entice

ENTI'CE

,
Verb.
T.
[L. titio, a firebrand.]
1.
To incite or instigate, by exciting hope or desire; usually in a bad sense; as, to entice one to evil. Hence, to seduce; to lead astray; to induce to sin, by promises or persuasions.
My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not. Prov.1.
2.
To tempt; to incite; to urge or lead astray.
Every man is tempted, when he is drawn away by his own lust, and enticed. James 1.
3.
To incite; to allure; in a good sense.

Definition 2024


entice

entice

English

Verb

entice (third-person singular simple present entices, present participle enticing, simple past and past participle enticed)

  1. (transitive) To lure; to attract by arousing desire or hope.
    • 2012 March 1, Brian Hayes, “Pixels or Perish”, in American Scientist, volume 100, number 2, page 106:
      Blackboard sketches, geological maps, diagrams of molecular structure, astronomical photographs, MRI images, the many varieties of statistical charts and graphs: These pictorial devices are indispensable tools for presenting evidence, for explaining a theory, for telling a story. And, on top of all that, they are ornaments; they entice and intrigue and sometimes delight.
    I enticed the little bear into the trap with a pot of honey.

Translations

Related terms

See also

References

  • entice in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911
  • entice in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913