Emily Dickinson Lexicon

A-BET', v.t. [Sax. betan, gebetan; properly to push forward, to advance; hence to amend, to revive, to restore, to make better; and applied to fire, to increase the flame, to excite, to promote. Hence to aid by encouraging or instigating. Hence in Saxon, Na bete nan man the fyr; Let no man bet (better, excite) the fire, LL. Ina. 78.]

1. To encourage by aid or countenance, but now used chiefly in a bad sense. “To abet an opinion,” in the sense of support, is used by Bishop Cumberland; but this use is hardly allowable.
2. In law, to encourage, counsel, incite or assist in a criminal act.