verb

abet

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

verb

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

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

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

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

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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.