[o11c]

> The devil is a seducer

This use is strongly derived from the sexual sense. E.g. the Bible is full of "Thy Maker is thine husband, and you are cheating!"

Maybe someone more versed in Latin than I am could look up "seduco" in pre-Christian contexts?

[lo_zamoyski]

In short, "seduce" comes from the Latin "seducere" meaning to "lead away, lead aside or astray" [0]. The meaning is not specifically sexual.

[0] https://www.etymonline.com/word/seduce

[o11c]

I know that the word was used in non-sexual contexts, but was it really original or by analogy like it often is today?

And that source seems wrong when claiming sexual use is modern, since it absolutely is used in sexual contexts in Latin, e.g. in Augustine's Confessions.

[lo_zamoyski]

> it absolutely is used in sexual contexts in Latin, e.g. in Augustine's Confessions

How is it used, and are you referring to the original Latin, or a translation? Since seduction includes sexual seduction by virtue of its generality, he could have used the word to mean sexual seduction specifically. If the context is clear, you can omit the adjective. Given that Augustine does talk about his sexual decadence prior to his conversion, I can imagine him using the unqualified "seduce" to mean the specifically sexual, which would be apparent from context.

[thaumasiotes]

> This use is strongly derived from the sexual sense.

This appears to be a pure assertion on your part, justified by nothing.

> Maybe someone more versed in Latin than I am could look up "seduco" in pre-Christian contexts?

https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext...