abet

From Middle English abetten, abette, from Old French abeter (“to entice”), from a- (“to”) + beter (“hound on, urge, to bait”), either from Middle Dutch bētan (“incite”) or from Old Norse beita (“to cause to bite, bait, incite”)[1], from Proto-Germanic *baitijaną (“to cause to bite”), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰeyd- (“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 *ābǣtan (“to hound on”), from ā- + bǣtan (“to bait”), from the same Proto-Germanic [Term?] source.

See also bait, bet.

• IPA^(key): /əˈbɛt/

• Audio (US)

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• Rhymes: -ɛt

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

1. (obsolete, transitive) To urge on, stimulate (a person to do) something desirable. [from end of 14th century to early 17th century][2]
2. (transitive) To incite; to assist or encourage by aid or countenance in crime. [from c. 1350-1470][3]
   • 2017 September 27, David Browne, "Hugh Hefner, 'Playboy' Founder, Dead at 91," Rolling Stone

     By the early Seventies, Playboy was selling seven million copies a month and Hefner's globe-trotting lifestyle was abetted by his private jet, the Big Bunny, that contained a circular bed, an inside disco and a wet bar.

   • 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.

3. (transitive, archaic) To support, countenance, maintain, uphold, or aid (any good cause, opinion, or action); to maintain. [from late 16th century][3]
   • 1835, Jeremy Taylor, George Rust, editor, The whole works of the Right Rev. Jeremy Taylor:

     Our duty is urged, and our confidence abetted.

4. (obsolete) To back up one's forecast of a doubtful issue, by staking money, etc., to bet.

• For quotations of use of this term, see Citations:abet.

• (to instigate or encourage by aid or countenance): incite, instigate, set on, egg on, foment, advocate, countenance, encourage, second, uphold, aid, assist, support, sustain, back, connive at, promote, sanction, advocate, embolden, favor, cooperate with

• baffle
• confound
• contradict
• counteract
• denounce
• deter
• disapprove
• disconcert
• discourage
• dissuade
• expose
• frustrate
• hinder
• impede
• obstruct
• thwart

abet (plural abets)

1. (obsolete) Fraud or cunning. [mid-12th century to mid-14th century][3]
2. (obsolete) An act of abetting; of helping; of giving aid. [from c. 1350-1470][3]

• Bate, Beta, bate, beat, beta

abet m

1. fir-tree

• Bal Palazios, Santiago (2002), “abet”, in Dizionario breu de a luenga aragonesa, Zaragoza, →ISBN

abet

1. past participle of abe

From Latin habitus (“habit, appearance”).

abet m

1. religious habit (clothing)