English[]
Etymology[]
From Old French abeter from à- + beter (“‘to bait an animal’”), from Old Norse beita (“‘to cause to bite’”), hence to bait, to incite; compare Icelandic beita (“‘to set dogs on", "to feed’”). This in turn was derived from Proto-Germanic *baitjan, from Proto-Indo-European *bheid- (“‘to split’”).
See also bait, bet.
Pronunciation[]
Verb[]
Infinitive |
Third person singular |
Simple past |
Past participle |
Present participle |
to Abet (third-person singular simple present abet, present participle t, simple past and past participle ing)
- (transitive) To assist or encourage by aid or countenance, especially in crime.
- He plans to abet an ill-doer.
- He plans to abet in his wicked courses.
- He plans to abet vice.
- He plans to abet an insurrection.
- The robber’s friend will abet by providing the escape car.
- South: The whole tribe abets the villany.
- Gay: Would not the fool abet the stealth, Who rashly thus exposed his wealth?
- (transitive) To support, countenance, maintain, uphold, or aid any cause, opinion, or action; to maintain; -- (Obsolete) in a good sense.
- (transitive) To support, uphold, or aid; to maintain.
- Jer. Taylor: Our duty is urged, and our confidence abetted.
- (obsolete) To urge on, stimulate (a person to do something) - first known use 1390
- (obsolete) To back up one's forecast of a doubtful issue, by staking money, etc., to bet.
Quotations[]
For examples of the usage of this term see the citations page.
Synonyms[]
- (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.
Translations[]
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- The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables, removing any numbers. Numbers do not necessarily match those in definitions. See instructions at Help:How to check translations.
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Noun[]
Singular |
Plural |
Abet ({{{1}}})
- (obsolete) An act of abetting; of helping; of giving aid.
Shorthand[]
- Gregg (Version: Centennial,Series 90,DJS,Simplified,Anniversary,Pre-Anniversary): a - b - e - t
Anagrams[]
- abet,
- bate
- beat
- beta, Beta
Danish[]
Verb[]
Abet
- Past participle of abe.
am:abet ar:abet de:abet fa:abet fr:abet ko:abet io:abet id:abet it:abet kn:abet ku:abet hu:abet my:abet ja:abet pl:abet pt:abet su:abet fi:abet ta:abet te:abet th:abet chr:abet tr:abet uk:abet vi:abet zh:abet