verb (used with object), a·bet·ted, a·bet·ting.
to encourage, support, or countenance by aid or approval, usually in wrongdoing: to abet a swindler; to abet a crime.
Origin:
1275–1325; Middle English abette (whence Old French abeter, unless perhaps the latter, of Germanic orig., be the source for the ME), Old English *ābǣtan to hound on, equivalent to ā- a-3 + bǣtan to bait, akin to bite
1275–1325; Middle English abette (whence Old French abeter, unless perhaps the latter, of Germanic orig., be the source for the ME), Old English *ābǣtan to hound on, equivalent to ā- a-3 + bǣtan to bait, akin to bite
Related forms
a·bet·ment, a·bet·tal, noun
un·a·bet·ted, adjective
un·a·bet·ting, adjective
Synonyms
help, aid, assist; promote.
help, aid, assist; promote.
Antonyms
hinder, discourage.
hinder, discourage.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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|
Link To abet
00:10
Abet
is always a great word to know.
So is admonition. Does it mean:
| an act of admonishing. |
| adj. slanted; prejudiced |
Collins
World English Dictionary
abet (əˈbɛt) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —vb , abets, abetting, abetted | |
| (tr) to assist or encourage, esp in crime or wrongdoing | |
| [C14: from Old French abeter to lure on, entice, from beter to bait] | |
| a'betment | |
| —n | |
| a'bettal | |
| —n | |
| a'better | |
| —n | |
| a'bettor | |
| —n | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History
abet
late 14c. (implied in abetting), from O.Fr. abeter "to bait, to harass with dogs," lit. "to cause to bite," from a- "to" (L. ad-) + beter "to bait," from a Gmc. source, perhaps Low Franconian betan "incite," or O.N. beita "cause to bite," from P.Gmc. *baitjan, from PIE base *bheid- "to split" (see
fissure).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Example sentences
Governments around the world are losing patience with tax evaders and the banks and countries that abet them.
The point of protections is not to aid and abet criminals it is to protect the innocent from abuse.
At the same time, the local population included some people who were willing to aid and abet the drug dealers.
It would also help you if the dean is willing to accept or abet some gradual staff turnover.
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