abet

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[edit] English

[edit] Etymology

From Old French abeter from à- + beter (“‘to bait an animal’”), from Old Norse beita (“‘to cause to bite’”), hence to bait, to incite; compare Icelandic beita (“‘to set dogs on, to feed’”). This in turn was derived from Proto-Germanic *baitjan, from Proto-Indo-European *bheid- (“‘to split’”).
See also bait, bet.

[edit] Pronunciation

[edit] Verb

Infinitive
to abet

Third person singular
abets

Simple past
abetted

Past participle
abetted

Present participle
abetting

to abet (third-person singular simple present abets, present participle abetting, simple past and past participle abetted)

  1. (transitive) To assist or encourage by aid or countenance, especially in crime.
    He plans to abet an ill-doer.
    He plans to abet in his wicked courses.
    He plans to abet vice.
    He plans to abet an insurrection.
    The robber’s friend will abet by providing the escape car.
    • South: The whole tribe abets the villany.
    • Gay: Would not the fool abet the stealth, Who rashly thus exposed his wealth?
  2. (transitive) To support, countenance, maintain, uphold, or aid any cause, opinion, or action; to maintain; -- (Obsolete) in a good sense.
  3. (transitive) To support, uphold, or aid; to maintain.
    • Jer. Taylor: Our duty is urged, and our confidence abetted.
  4. (obsolete) To urge on, stimulate (a person to do something) - first known use 1390
  5. (obsolete) To back up one's forecast of a doubtful issue, by staking money, etc., to bet.

[edit] Quotations

[edit] Synonyms

[edit] Translations

to assist or encourage in crime
to support, uphold, or aid
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[edit] Noun

Singular
abet

Plural
abets

abet (plural abets)

  1. (obsolete) An act of abetting; of helping; of giving aid.

[edit] Shorthand

[edit] Anagrams

[edit] Danish

[edit] Verb

abet

  1. Past participle of abe.
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