v.
Pronunciation: ə - ' bet
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Form: abet · ted ; abet · ting
Etymology: Middle English abetten, from Anglo-French abeter, from a- (fr. Latin ad- ) + beter to bait, of Germanic origin; akin to Old English b ǣ tan to bait
Date: 14th century
1 : to actively second and encourage (as an activity or plan) : FORWARD
2 : to assist or support in the achievement of a purpose < abetted the thief in his getaway>
synonyms see INCITE
– abet · ment \ -m ə nt \ noun
– abet · tor also abet · ter \ ə - ' be-t ə r \ noun