Abet
Abet ({not transcribed}) , transitive verb
[Old French abeter; a (Latin ad) + beter to bait (as a bear), from Icelandic beita to set dogs on, to feed, originally, to cause to bite, from Icelandic bīta 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.
Would not the fool abet the stealth,
Who rashly thus exposed his wealth?
2.
To support, uphold, or aid; to maintain; -- in a good sense. [Obsolete]
Our duty is urged, and our confidence abetted.
3.
(Law) To contribute, as an assistant or instigator, to the commission of an offense.
Abet ({not transcribed}) , noun
[Old French abet, from abeter.]
Act of abetting; aid. [Obsolete] — Chaucer