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lure

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lure

[loor] noun, verb, lured, lur⋅ing.
–noun
1. anything that attracts, entices, or allures.
2. the power of attracting or enticing.
3. a decoy; live or esp. artificial bait used in fishing or trapping.
4. Falconry. a feathered decoy for attracting a hawk, swung at the end of a long line and sometimes baited with raw meat.
5. a flap or tassel dangling from the dorsal fin of pediculate fishes, as the angler, that attracts prey to the mouth region.
–verb (used with object)
6. to attract, entice, or tempt; allure.
7. to draw or recall (esp. a falcon), as by a lure or decoy.
8. in lure, Heraldry. noting a pair of wings joined with the tips downward (opposed to a vol ).

Origin:
1350–1400; ME < AF, OF luere (F leurre) < Frankish *lothr-, c. MHG luoder, G Luder bait


lurement, noun
lurer, noun
lur⋅ing⋅ly, adverb


1. temptation. 6. seduce.


6. repel.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To lure
lure   (lŏŏr)   
n.  
    1. Something that tempts or attracts with the promise of pleasure or reward.

    2. An attraction or appeal.

  1. A decoy used in catching animals, especially an artificial bait used in catching fish.

  2. A bunch of feathers attached to a long cord, used in falconry to recall the hawk.

tr.v.   lured, lur·ing, lures
  1. To attract by wiles or temptation; entice.

  2. To recall (a falcon) with a lure.


[Middle English, from Anglo-Norman, of Germanic origin.]
lur'er n., lur'ing·ly adv.
Synonyms: These verbs mean to lead or attempt to lead into a wrong or foolish course: Lure suggests the use of something that attracts like bait: Industry often lures scientists from universities by offering them huge salaries.
To entice is to draw on skillfully, as by arousing hopes or desires: The teacher tried to entice the shy child into entering the classroom.
Inveigle implies winning over by coaxing, flattery, or artful talk: He inveigled a friend into becoming his law partner.
To decoy is to trap or ensnare by cunning or deception: Partisans dressed as simple farmers decoyed the soldiers into the crossfire.
Tempt implies an encouragement or an attraction to do something, especially something immoral, unwise, or contrary to one's better judgment: I am tempted to tell him what I really think of him.
To seduce is to entice away and usually suggests the overcoming of moral resistance: "The French King attempted by splendid offers to seduce him from the cause of the Republic" (Thomas Macaulay).
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

lure  (n.)
c.1385, "something which allures or entices," from Anglo-Fr. lure, from O.Fr. loirre "device used to recall hawks, lure," from Frank. *loþr, from P.Gmc. *lothran "to call" (cf. M.H.G. luoder, M.L.G. loder "lure, bait," Ger. Luder "lure, deceit, bait," O.E. laþian "to call, invite"). Originally a bunch of feathers on a long cord, from which the hawk is fed during its training. Used of means of alluring other animals (esp. fish) from c.1700. Technically, bait is something the animal can eat; lure is a more general term. The verb is from c.1386, of hawks; 1393, of persons.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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