abet

[ uh-bet ]
/ əˈbɛt /

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 of abet

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

OTHER WORDS FROM abet

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

Example sentences from the Web for abetment

British Dictionary definitions for abetment

abet
/ (əˈbɛt) /

verb abets, abetting or abetted

(tr) to assist or encourage, esp in crime or wrongdoing

Derived forms of abet

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

Word Origin for abet

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