Obs. [a. OFr. abet instigation, wile, trickery; f. abeter: see ABET v. Cf. med. law L. abettum, f. Fr. abet.]
1. Fraud, cunning, wiles.
c. 1315. Shoreham, 58. Hyt was God self that spousynge ferst · In Paradys sette; The fend hyt was that schente hyt all · Myd gyle and hys abette.
1460. Pol. Rel. & Love Poems (1866), 63. Loue is subtille, and hath a grete abaite.
2. Instigation, aid, encouragement (of an offence); abetment.
c. 1374. Chaucer, Troyl., II. 356. I am thyn eme, the shame were to me, As wel as thee, if I shold assent, Thurgh myn abet, that he thine honour shent.
1596. Spenser, F. Q., IV. iii. 11. Lo! faitour, there thy meede unto thee take, The meede of thy mischalenge and abet.
