Abet

v. t. [imp. & p. p. ABETTED; p. pr. & vb. n. ABETTING.] [O. Fr. abeter, Pr., O. Sp. abetar, to deceive, O. Fr. & Pr. abet, deceit, cunning, Norm. Fr. abéter, to bait, lure, abet, bait, lure, L. Lat. abettum, incitement, a compound of A-S. bætan, to bridle, rein in, M. D. beeten, M. H. Ger. and H. Ger. beizen, to cause to bite (into the rein), to incite, set on, to take wild fowls by means of hawks. See BAIT.]

1Sense 1. To encourage by aid or countenance;—formerly used in a good, but now chiefly in a bad sense. “The whole tribe abets the villainy.” South.

Would not the fool abet the stealth, Who rashly thus exposed his wealth? Gay.

Our duty is urged, and our confidence abetted. Bp. Taylor.

2Sense 2. To maintain; to support. [Obs.] “His challenge to abet.” Spenser.

3Sense 3. (Law.) To encourage, counsel, incite, or instigate to commit a crime, or assist in a criminal act. Bouvier.

Synonyms—To aid; assist; support; encourage; sustain; back; connive at.