Also 6 al-. [f. ALLURE v. + -MENT.]
1. The action or process of alluring, or attracting by some proffered good; temptation, enticement.
1561. T. N[orton], trans. Calvin’s Inst., II. iii. (1634), 129. Will, for as much as it is drawne by allurement, cannot exclude necessity.
1601. Shaks., All’s Well, IV. iii. 241. Take heede of the allurement of one Count Rossillion.
1671. Milton, P. R., II. 131. Though Adam by his wife’s allurement fell.
1751. Johnson, Rambl., No. 155, ¶ 8. When some craving passion shall be fully gratified, or some powerful allurement cease its importunity.
1796. Morse, Amer. Geog., I. 276. The snares of the enemy are detected, his allurements avoided.
1866. Kingsley, Herew., viii. 135. She found him proof against her allurements.
2. Alluring faculty or quality; attractiveness, fascination, charm.
1579. Gosson, Sch. Abuse (Arb.), 22. The allurement of the other drawes the mind from vertue.
1605. Bacon, Adv. Learn., I. vii. § 27 (1873), 65. A speech of great allurement toward his own purpose.
1756. Burke, Subl. & B., Wks. I. 228. To disentangle our minds from the allurements of the object.
1794. Sullivan, View Nat., V. 398. Is it the right way to teach morality, to trick vice out with allurements?
1838. Dickens, Nich. Nick., xxx. (C. D. ed.), 245. The young lady … displaying her choicest allurements.
3. The means of alluring; that which is offered or operates as a source of attraction; a lure, bait.
1548. Udall, etc., Erasm. Paraphr. Mark i. 13. Deceiued with the pleasaunt alurement of an apple.
1626. R. Bernard, Isle of Man (1627), 53. Foolish niceries, perfumings, and other allurements to dalliance.
1725. De Foe, Voy. round World (1840), 251. Gold … appeared to be the great allurement of the Spaniards.
1825. McCulloch, Pol. Econ., III. § 3. 234. The allurements to enlist in the army.
