abet

Definition

To incite; to assist or encourage by aid or countenance in crime.

Etymology

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”), 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 source (Proto-Germanic *baitijaną). See also bait, bet.

Example Sentences

• "aid and abet"
• "Those who would exalt themselves by abetting the strength of the Godless, and the wrength of the oppressors."
• "The Statute provides that whoever has been engaged in aiding, abetting, or assisting, directly or indirectly, is criminal."