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Abate vs Abet - What's the difference?

abate | abet |

In transitive terms the difference between abate and abet

is that abate is to cut away or hammer down, in such a way as to leave a figure in relief, as a sculpture, or in metalwork while abet is to incite; to assist or encourage by aid or countenance in crime.

In transitive archaic terms the difference between abate and abet

is that abate is to destroy, or level to the ground while abet is to support, countenance, maintain, uphold, or aid any good cause, opinion, or action; to maintain.

As verbs the difference between abate and abet

is that abate is to put an end to; to cause to cease while abet is to urge on, stimulate (a person to do) something desirable.

As nouns the difference between abate and abet

is that abate is abatement while abet is fraud or cunning.

abate

English

Etymology 1

From (etyl) abaten, from (etyl) . Cognate to modern French abattre .

Verb

(abat)
  • (transitive, obsolete, outside, legal) To put an end to; to cause to cease.
    • to abate a nuisance
  • To become null and void.
    • The writ has abated .
  • (legal) To nullify; make void.
    • to abate a writ
  • (obsolete) To humble; to lower in status; to bring someone down physically or mentally.
  • *
    • The hyer that they were in this present lyf, the moore shulle they be abated and defouled in helle.
  • (obsolete) To be humbled; to be brought down physically or mentally.
  • (obsolete) To curtail; to deprive.
    • Order restrictions and prohibitions to abate an emergency situation.
  • * 1605 , , King Lear , II.ii:
    • She hath abated me of half my train.
  • To reduce in amount, size, or value.
    • Legacies are liable to be abated entirely or in proportion, upon a deficiency of assets.
  • *
    • His eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated .
  • To decrease in size, value, or amount.
  • To moderate; to lessen in force, intensity, to subside.
  • * 1597 , , [http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/575 Essays or Counsels, Civil and Morall] :
    • Not that they feel it so, but only to abate the edge of envy.
  • * 1855 , , History of England from the Accession of James II, Part 3 , [http://books.google.com/books?id=MN5CNdgbSTYC&pg=PA267 page 267]:
    • The fury of Glengarry rapidly abated .
  • To decrease in intensity or force; to subside.
  • * :
  • To deduct or omit.
    • We will abate this price from the total.
  • * 1845 , , The Church History of Britain , Volume 3, [http://books.google.com/books?id=OfefAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA100 page 100]:
    • Allowing nine thousand parishes (abating the odd hundreds) in England and Wales
  • To bar or except.
  • *
    • Abating his brutality, he was a very good master.
  • To cut away or hammer down, in such a way as to leave a figure in relief, as a sculpture, or in metalwork.
  • (obsolete) To dull the edge or point of; to blunt.
  • (archaic) To destroy, or level to the ground.
  • * 1542 , , The Union of the Noble and Illustre Famelies of Lancastre and York :
    • The kynge of Scottes planted his siege before the castell of Norham, and sore abated the walls.
    Synonyms
    * (bring down or reduce) lessen; diminish; contract; moderate; cut short; decrease * (diminish in force or intensity) diminish; subside; decline; wane; ebb * (bring someone down) humble; depress * (come to naught) fall through; fail
    Antonyms
    * augment; accelerate; intensify; rise; revive
    Derived terms
    * abatable * abatement * abater * unabated * abate of
    Related terms
    * abator * abattoir * abatis

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • Abatement.

    • Etymology 2

    From (etyl) abatre, an alteration of enbatre, from (etyl) en + .

    Verb

    (abat)
  • (legal) To enter a tenement without permission after the owner has died and before the heir takes possession.

    • Etymology 4

    From (etyl) abate, from (etyl) .

    Alternative forms

    * abbate

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • An Italian abbot, or other member of the clergy.

    • References

    * * ----

    abet

    English

    Verb

    (abett)
  • (obsolete) To urge on, stimulate (a person to do) something desirable.
  • To incite; to assist or encourage by aid or countenance in crime.
  • * 1823 , Ringan Gilhaize, The covenanters, by the author of Annals of the parish :
    • Those who would exalt themselves by abetting the strength of the Godless, and the wrength of the oppressors.
  • (archaic) To support, countenance, maintain, uphold, or aid any good cause, opinion, or action; to maintain.
  • * 1835 , Jeremy Taylor, George Rust, The whole works of the Right Rev. Jeremy Taylor :
    • Our duty is urged, and our confidence abetted .
  • (obsolete) To back up one's forecast of a doubtful issue, by staking money, etc., to bet.

    • Quotations

    * (English Citations of "abet")

    Synonyms

    * (to instigate or encourage by aid or countenance) incite, instigate, set on, egg on, foment, advocate, countenance, encourage, second, uphold, aid, assist, support, sustain, back, connive at.

    Derived terms

    * aid and abet * abetment * abettal * abetter, abettor

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (obsolete) Fraud or cunning.
  • (obsolete) An act of abetting; of helping; of giving aid.

    • Anagrams

    * * *

    References

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