Abetting

3 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  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[imac]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.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              Would not the fool abet the stealth,
              Who rashly thus exposed his wealth?   --Gay.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. To support, uphold, or aid; to maintain; -- in a good
        sense. [Obs.].
  
              Our duty is urged, and our confidence abetted.
                                                    --Jer. Taylor.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     3. (Law) To contribute, as an assistant or instigator, to the
        commission of an offense.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     Syn: To incite; instigate; set on; egg on; foment; advocate;
          countenance; encourage; second; uphold; aid; assist;
          support; sustain; back; connive at.
          [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  abet
       v : assist or encourage, usually in some wrongdoing
       [also: {abetting}, {abetted}]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  abetting
       See {abet}