Usage notes

* Abettor is usually used in a legal sense. * abettor, accessory, accomplice. These words denote different degrees of complicity in some deed or crime. * An abettor is one who incites or encourages to the act, without sharing in its performance. * An accessory'' supposes a principal offender. One who is neither the chief actor in an offense, nor present at its performance, but ''accedes'' to or becomes involved in its guilt, either by some previous or subsequent act, as of instigating, encouraging, aiding, or concealing, etc., is an ''accessory . * An accomplice'' is one who participates in the commission of an offense, whether as principal or accessory. Thus in treason, there are no ''abettors'' or ''accessories'', but all are held to be principals or ''accomplices . * (supporter) Nowadays it usually refers to a reprehensible act that is supported.