abet

[ uh-bet ]
See synonyms for: abetabettedabettingabetment on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object),a·bet·ted, a·bet·ting.
  1. to encourage, support, or countenance by aid or approval, usually in wrongdoing: to abet a swindler; to abet a crime.

Origin of abet

1
First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English abette (source of Old French abeter, unless the latter, of Germanic origin, is the source of the Middle English), unattested Old English ābǣtan “to hound on,” equivalent to ā- a-3 + bǣtan “to hunt, chase with dogs, pasture”; see origin at bait; akin to bite

Other words for abet

Opposites for abet

Other words from abet

  • a·bet·ment, a·bet·tal, noun
  • un·a·bet·ted, adjective
  • un·a·bet·ting, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use abet in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for abet

abet

/ (əˈbɛt) /


verbabets, abetting or abetted
  1. (tr) to assist or encourage, esp in crime or wrongdoing

Origin of abet

1
C14: from Old French abeter to lure on, entice, from beter to bait

Derived forms of abet

  • abetment or abettal, noun
  • abetter or esp law abettor, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012