[ad. Anglo-Fr. abetement, abettement (not found in continental Fr.), n. of action, f. abeter: see ABET. The var. anbetment arose from conf. of the prefix with Eng. a- :—an-.]
1. The action or fact of abetting; instigation, encouragement.
a. Usually of an offence.
c. 1380. Sir Ferumb., 2364. Þanne schal heo beo for-brent, For hure couyne to-ward þat route: & hure anbettyment.
1461. Paston Lett., 430, II. 76. The abbettement and steryng of sum ille dysposed persones.
1538. Fitzherbert, Just. Pea. (1538), 136 b. Found gyltie of any abbetment, counsaylynge, helpinge or maynteyninge of or to any suche felonies.
1768. Blackstone, Comm., IV. 36. The very advice and abetment amount to principal treason.
1816. Scott, Old Mort., 65. The recusancy of Cuddie Headrigg the ploughman, and the abetment which he had received from his mother.
1878. Daily News, 26 Sept., 6/1. When I say fomented, I mean that the abetment is of an indirect character, passive rather than active.
† b. Formerly in a more general sense: encouragement, countenance, aid. Obs.
c. 1535. Sir T. More, Debellacion of Salem & Byzance, Wks. (1557), 1019/1. He neither seeth nor assigneth so much as any assembly about them, or promise or abetment to procure and pursue them.
a. 1677. Barrow, Sermons, II. xx. 279 (1683). Never hardly any eminent Person appeared with a pretence of coming from God … without God’s visible interposal and abetment.
† 2. Deception. Cf. ABET sb. Obs.
1586. Ferne, Blazon of Gentrie, 330. Such men which by fraude or abetment shall go about to stop or rather to preuent the ordinance of lawes.
† 3. A bet, betting. Obs.
1615. Bp. Hall, Contemp., VIII. (1628), 975. As some skilfull player loses on purpose … to draw on the more abetments.
