Abet
Pronunciation
- UK IPA: /əˈbɛt/
- Rhymes: -ɛt
Origin
From Middle English abetten, abette, from Old French abeter ("to entice"), from a- ("to") + beter ("hound on, urge, to bait"), from either Middle Dutch bētan ("incite"), or from Old Norse beita ("to cause to bite, bait, incite")
CDOE|page=2
, from Proto-Germanic *baitijanÄ… ("to cause to bite"), from Proto-Indo-European *bheid- ("to split"). Cognate with Icelandic beita ("to set dogs on", "to feed").
- Alternate etymology traces the Middle English and Old French words through Old English *ÄbÇ£tan ("to hound on"), from Ä- + bÇ£tan ("to bait"), from the same Proto-Germanic source.
- See also bait, bet.
Full definition of abet
Verb
- (obsolete, transitive) To urge on, stimulate (a person to do) something desirable. Attested from around (1350 to 1470) (1390) until the early 17th century.
- (transitive) To incite; to assist or encourage by aid or countenance in crime. First attested from around (1350 to 1470).
- 1823, Ringan Gilhaize, The covenanters, by the author of Annals of the parish:Those who would exalt themselves by abetting the strength of the Godless, and the wrength of the oppressors.
- (transitive, archaic) To support, countenance, maintain, uphold, or aid any good cause, opinion, or action; to maintain. First attested in the late 16th century.
- 1835, Jeremy Taylor, George Rust, The whole works of the Right Rev. Jeremy Taylor:Our duty is urged, and our confidence abetted.
- (obsolete) To back up one's forecast of a doubtful issue, by staking money, etc., to bet.