abet
UK[əˈbet]US[əˈbet]
v
to help or encourage someone to do something wrong or illegal
v
(law) to assist or encourage in the commission of a crime
Morpheme Breakdown
a
bet
a
to, towards
bet
to bait, to urge on
Etymology
the word 'abet' originates from old english, formed from the combination of the prefix 'ā-' (meaning 'to' or 'towards') and the verb 'bǣtan' (meaning 'to bait', as in setting a dog upon something). this literal sense of urging a dog to attack evolved into the more general meaning of inciting or encouraging any action. by the 14th century, it had acquired its specific legal connotation of assisting in the commission of a crime. the semantic journey reflects a shift from the physical act of baiting an animal to the abstract act of encouraging wrongful human behavior.
Analysis
Structure: a (to, towards) + bet (to bait, to urge on)
the prefix 'a-' is from old english 'ā-', a form of the preposition 'on', meaning 'to' or 'towards'. the root 'bet' is from old english 'bǣtan', meaning 'to bait' or 'to hound', related to 'bite'.
Examples
he was accused of aiding and abetting the fugitive.
to abet someone in their dishonest schemes is to become complicit.
the new law targets those who abet tax evasion.