abet

[uh-bet] /əˈbɛt/
verb (used with object), abetted, abetting.
1.
to encourage, support, or countenance by aid or approval, usually in wrongdoing:
to abet a swindler; to abet a crime.
Origin
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
Related forms
abetment, abettal, noun
unabetted, adjective
unabetting, adjective
Synonyms
help, aid, assist; promote.
Antonyms
hinder, discourage.
Examples from the web for abet
  • Digital cameras abet the photographic equivalent of stream of consciousness.
  • And you that do abet him in this kind.
  • It is a federal violation to aide and abet or harbor a fugitive and could face federal charges for doing so.
  • The point of protections is not to aid and abet criminals it is to protect the innocent from abuse.
  • The government needs to make clear that it will no longer abet or condone this behavior.
  • Governments around the world are losing patience with tax evaders and the banks and countries that abet them.
  • Myspace and other sites where wrongdoing occurs are no intentionally designed to abet criminal activity.
  • It would also help you if the dean is willing to accept or abet some gradual staff turnover.
  • The most important issue is whether we will ever abet cheating.
  • Except saying that someone should not have the freedom to share their opinion; abet a bit radical is hypocrisy.
British Dictionary definitions for abet

abet

/əˈbɛt/
verb abets, abetting, abetted
1.
(transitive) to assist or encourage, esp in crime or wrongdoing
Derived Forms
abetment, abettal, noun
abetter, especially (law) abettor, noun
Word Origin
C14: from Old French abeter to lure on, entice, from beter to bait
Word Origin and History for abet
v.

late 14c. (implied in abetting), from Old French abeter "to bait, to harass with dogs," literally "to cause to bite," from a- "to" (see ad-) + beter "to bait," from a Germanic source, perhaps Low Franconian betan "incite," or Old Norse beita "cause to bite," from Proto-Germanic *baitjan, from PIE root *bheid- "to split" (see fissure). Related: Abetted; abetting.