Definition of abet

digress Definition: (verb) to wander from the main path or the main topic. Petersons.com

Add Word of the Day to your personalized My Yahoo! page: About My Yahoo! and RSS »

Email this page to a friend

< abessive

ab extra >

a·bet    (-bt) KEY  

TRANSITIVE VERB:
a·bet·ted , a·bet·ting , a·bets

1. To approve, encourage, and support (an action or a plan of action); urge and help on.
2. To urge, encourage, or help (a person): abetted the thief in robbing the bank.

---

ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English abetten, from Old French abeter, to entice : a-, to (from Latin ad-; see ad- ) + beter, to bait; see bheid- in Indo-European roots

OTHER FORMS:
a·betment (Noun), a·bettor or a·better (Noun)

Visit our partner's site

	Provided by Houghton Mifflin eReference -- Download this interactive reference software to your desktop computer

Search Dictionary:

More on Yahoo! Education

• Online and On-Campus Degree Programs     MBAs  -  Technology Management  -  Education  -  Health  -  More  • College & Grad School - A Comprehensive Guide     College Search  -  Test Prep  -  Application Tips  -  Scholarship Search