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abet

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abet


  3  definitions  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Abet  \A*bet"\,  v.  t.  [imp.  &  p.  p.  {Abetted};  p.  pr  &  vb  n. 
  {Abetting}.]  [OF.  abeter  a  (L.  ad)  +  beter  to  bait  (as  a 
  bear),  fr  Icel.  beita  to  set  dogs  on  to  feed,  originally, 
  to  cause  to  bite,  fr  Icel.  b[=i]ta  to  bite,  hence  to  bait, 
  to  incite.  See  {Bait},  {Bet}.] 
  1.  To  instigate  or  encourage  by  aid  or  countenance;  --  used 
  in  a  bad  sense  of  persons  and  acts  as  to  abet  an 
  ill-doer;  to  abet  one  in  his  wicked  courses;  to  abet  vice; 
  to  abet  an  insurrection.  ``The  whole  tribe  abets  the 
  villany.''  --South. 
 
  Would  not  the  fool  abet  the  stealth,  Who  rashly  thus 
  exposed  his  wealth?  --Gay. 
 
  2.  To  support,  uphold,  or  aid;  to  maintain;  --  in  a  good 
  sense  [Obs.]. 
 
  Our  duty  is  urged,  and  our  confidence  abetted. 
  --Jer.  Taylor. 
 
  3.  (Law)  To  contribute,  as  an  assistant  or  instigator,  to  the 
  commission  of  an  offense. 
 
  Syn:  To  incite;  instigate;  set  on  egg  on  foment;  advocate; 
  countenance;  encourage;  second  uphold;  aid;  assist; 
  support;  sustain;  back  connive  at 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Abet  \A*bet"\,  n.  [OF.  abet,  fr  abeter.] 
  Act  of  abetting;  aid.  [Obs.]  --Chaucer. 
 
  From  WordNet  r  1.6  [wn]: 
 
  abet 
  v  :  assist  or  encourage,  usually  in  some  wrongdoing 




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