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Webster 1913 Edition

Abet

A-bet′

,
Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Abetted
;
p. pr. & vb. n.
Abetting
.]
[OF.
abeter
;
a
(L.
ad
) +
beter
to bait (as a bear), fr. Icel.
beita
to set dogs on, to feed, originally, to cause to bite, fr. Icel.
bīta
to bite, hence to bait, to incite. See
Bait
,
Bet
.]
1.
To instigate or encourage by aid or countenance; – used in a bad sense of persons and acts;
as, to
abet
an ill-doer; to
abet
one in his wicked courses; to
abet
vice; to
abet
an insurrection.
“The whole tribe abets the villany.”
South.
Would not the fool
abet
the stealth,
Who rashly thus exposed his wealth?
Gay.
Our duty is urged, and our confidence
abetted
.
Jer. Taylor.
3.
(Law)
To contribute, as an assistant or instigator, to the commission of an offense.
Syn. – To incite; instigate; set on; egg on; foment; advocate; countenance; encourage; second; uphold; aid; assist; support; sustain; back; connive at.

A-bet′

,
Noun.
[OF.
abet
, fr.
abeter
.]
Act of abetting; aid.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.

Webster 1828 Edition

Abet

ABET'

v.t. [Sax. betan, gebatan; properly to push forward, to advance; hence to amend, to revive, to restore, to make better; and applied to fire, to increase the flame, to excite, to promote. Hence to aid by encouraging or instigating. Hence in Saxon, 'Na bete nan man that fyr.' Let no man bet, [better, excite] the fire, LL. Ina. 78.]
1.
To encourage by aid or countenance, but now used chiefly in a bad sense. 'To abet an opinion,' in the sense of support, is used by Bishop Cumberland; but this use is hardly allowable.
2.
In law, to encourage, counsel, incite or assist in a criminal act.

ABET'

,
Noun.
The act of aiding or encouraging in a crime. [Not used.]

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