Dictionary Definition
abettor n : one who helps or encourages or
incites another [syn: abetter]
User Contributed Dictionary
English
Noun
one who encourages in doing bad things.Translations
Extensive Definition
Abettor (from to abet, Old French
abeter, á and beter, to bait, urge dogs upon any one; this word is
probably of Scandinavian origin, meaning to cause to bite), is a
law term implying one who instigates, encourages or assists another
to commit an offence.
An abettor differs from an accessory
in that he must be present at the commission of the crime; all
abettors (with certain exceptions) are principals, and, in the
absence of specific statutory provision to the contrary, are
punishable to the same extent as the actual perpetrator of the
offence. A person may in certain cases be convicted as an abettor
in the commission of an offence in which he or she could not be a
principal, e.g. a woman or boy under fourteen years of age in
aiding rape, or a solvent person in aiding and abetting a bankrupt
to commit offences against the bankruptcy laws.
More recently, an abbetor is generally known as
an accomplice.
References
Synonyms, Antonyms and Related Words
Maecenas, accessory, accomplice, accomplice in
crime, actuator,
admirer, advocate, aficionado, angel, animator, apologist, backer, buff, cajoler, champion, coax, coaxer, coconspirator, cohort, confederate, conspirator, defender, dependence, encourager, endorser, energizer, exponent, fan, favorer, fellow conspirator,
firer, friend at court,
gadfly, galvanizer, impeller, inducer, inspirer, lover, mainstay, maintainer, mover, moving spirit, paranymph, partisan, patron, persuader, pleader, prime mover, promoter, prompter, protagonist, reliance, second, seconder, sectary, sider, socius criminis, spark, spark plug, sparker, sponsor, stalwart, standby, stimulator, support, supporter, sustainer, sympathizer, tempter, upholder, votary, well-wisher, wheedler