Definition of abet

Definitions

abet

noun

(obsolete) Act of abetting; aid.

verb (abet, t, ing)

(transitive) To instigate or encourage by aid or countenance; -- used in a bad sense of persons and acts

to an ill-doer; to one in his wicked courses; to vice; to an insurrection

The robber"s friend abetted by providing the escape car.

- South: The whole tribe abets the villany.
- Gay: Would not the fool the stealth, Who rashly thus exposed his wealth?
  1. (transitive) To support, uphold, or aid; to maintain.
- Jer. Taylor: Our duty is urged, and our confidence abetted.
  1. (transitive) To contribute, as an assistant or instigator, to the commission of an offense.

Translations:

Dutch: bijstaan in
French: encourager
German: ermutigen
Italian: incoraggiare
Spanish: ayudar, incitar

Etymology: (term, abeter); (term, a-) (Latin (term, ad-)) + (term, beter, , to bait an animal), from Icelandic (term, beita, , to set dogs on, to feed), originally, to cause to bite, from Icelandic (term, bÄta, , to bite), hence to bait, to incite. See (term, bait), (term, bet).

Supplemental Details:Sponsor an extended definition for abet for as little as $10 per month. Click here to contact us.

Browse the Dictionary
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z


Dictionary content provided from Wiktionary.org under the GNU Free Documentation License Allwords Copyright 1998-2013 All rights reserved.

Share this page:

More To Explore

Contact & About