English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology

verb

abet

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Abet (verb) means to incite; to assist or encourage by aid or countenance in crime.

verb

1

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

2

To support, countenance, maintain, uphold, or aid (any good cause, opinion, or action).

3

To urge on, stimulate (a person to do) something desirable.

4

To back up one's forecast of a doubtful issue, by staking money, etc., to bet.

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

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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.

Rhymes for abet

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Frequently asked questions

What is the meaning of abet?

"abet" (verb) means to incite; to assist or encourage by aid or countenance in crime.

What are the different meanings of abet?

"abet" has 3 main meanings: 1. To incite; to assist or encourage by aid or countenance in crime; 2. To support, countenance, maintain, uphold, or aid (any good cause, opinion, or action); 3. To urge on, stimulate (a person to do) something desirable.

Definitions from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0 · etymology from Wiktionary