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 Related formsa·bet·ment, a·bet·tal, noun
un·a·bet·ted, adjective
un·a·bet·ting, adjective
Synonyms
help, aid, assist; promote.
Antonyms
hinder, discourage.