abettern.
/əˈbɛtə/, U.S. /əˈbɛdər/ = abettor n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > easiness > aid, help, or assistance > support > support or encouragement > [noun] > supporter or encourager > chiefly in something bad
maintainer?a1400
abetter1457
bolsterer1523
abettor1569
succentor1609
bettor1671
1457 in R. R. Sharpe Cal. Let.-bks. London (1911) K. 386 (MED) Þe chief & principall moevers, procurers & abetters..unto þe confederacy aforsaid.
1573 J. Bridges Supremacie Christian Princes 838 We haue many outcries of the prophetes, against Idolaters, yea against the priestes highe and lowe, as abetters to Idolatrie.
1638 R. Younge Drunkard's Char. 496 The imitaters of evill, deserve punishment; the abetters, more; but there is no hell deepe enough, for the leaders of publike wickednesse.
1664 H. More Modest Enq. Myst. Iniquity i. 3 So far forth as they are Teachers, Abetters, or Obtruders of such Practices or Principles.
1704 J. Trapp Abra-Mule iv. ii. 51 Let that hellish Slave, his base Accomplice, The Abetter of his Treasons, share his Fate.
1765 Select Coll. Lett. Govt. Eng. IV. xiii. 46 On many important occasions have they exerted themselves in defence of public liberty; and so far from being abetters of a party spirit.
1825 J. Neal Brother Jonathan I. 308 Aiders and abetters of my rebellion.
1868 Contemp. Rev. 9 563 The Irish Government..has been..not the enkindler, not the leader, not the abetter of aggressive Protestantism in Ireland.
1920 Theosophy May 200 H. P. B. was said to be an immoral woman, a Russian spy, and Col. Olcott her dupe and her abetter.
2007 C. Tavris & E. Aronson Mistakes were Made vii. 197 We'll just draw a veil over our own complicity as perpetrators and abetters of slavery.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2011; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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