ppl. a. [UN-1 8.]
1. Not tempted; unassailed by temptation.
1607. Beaum. & Fl., Woman-Hater, IV. i. Can you imagine A Maid, whose beauty could not suffer her To live thus long untempted?
1652. Bp. Hall, Invis. World, III. xii. Those objects of dread, and horror,… not so confined to their hell, as to leave us untempted.
1716. Gay, Trivia, II. 287. Careful observers,… Untempted,… contemn the jugler’s feats, Pass by the Meuse, nor try the thimble’s cheats.
1757. [see UNTAINTED ppl. a. 4 b].
1809–14. Wordsw., Excurs., VIII. 259. Those … yet untempted to forsake The simple occupations of their sires.
1865. Grosart, Mem. H. Palmer, 44. The issue of profound meditation,… not untempted of doubt.
1890. ‘R. Boldrewood,’ Col. Reformer (1891), 366. An unworn, untempted nature.
b. Not due to or resulting from temptation or enticement.
1744. Akenside, Ep. Curio, 67. Yet must you one untempted vileness own.
1753. Fielding, Eliz. Canning, Wks. 1903, XI. 39. A pitch of wanton and untempted inhumanity, beyond all possibility of belief.
1871. Ruskin, Fors Clav., vii. 23. There is no physical crime … so without parallel in its untempted guilt, as the making of war machinery.
2. Unattempted, untried. rare–1.
1744. Akenside, Pleas. Imag., i. 573. Let the breath of thy extended praise Inspire my kindling bosom to the height Of this untempted theme.
