Sunday World Cryptic

[valerie1]

Please help:
15d One who helps a superior, we hear. (7) a?e?t?r

[Oldred]

abetter

[scorpiojo]

A better

[Sam1960]

abetter

[elliemay1]

abettor

[mac44]

abettor

[elliemay1]

I said 'abettor' because it sounds like 'a better' (clue: we hear)

[valerie1]

Thank you for your replies: I am unsure of the definition or usage of either of the words - your opinions are most welcome!

[scorpiojo]

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/abetter

[scorpiojo]

Chambers gives abetter or (esp law) abettor...sorry, Valerie, I know that's not much help

[Sam1960]

abettor looks good

[elliemay1]

Abetter vs. abettor - Grammarist
grammarist.com/spelling/abetter-abettor/
The noun meaning one who assists another in a crime is variously spelled abetter and abettor, and both spellings are acceptable. Abettor is the safer choice, ...

[Calibax]

Both mean the same thing although Abettor is more used in the strictly legal sense. As the clue says 'we hear' indicating a homophone i would go for abettOR

[mac44]

The noun meaning one who assists another in a crime is variously spelled abetter and abettor, and both spellings are acceptable. Abettor is the safer choice, however, as it is more common and is preferred in most types of edited writing. Abetter is not far behind, though. It appears about twice for every three instances of abettor, and this ratio has been more or less consistent for several centuries.

[elliemay1]

^ 'we hear' is in the clue, that's why I would go with 'abettor'

[Davemano]

Agree with eliemay1 - Abettor is a person who aids. Sounds like a superior, abetter.

[elliemay1]

'one who helps a superior' would be ' abetter' BUT because it says 'we hear' the answer would be 'abettor'

[valerie1]

Thank you all so much for the responses - I feel ' a better' person for your knowledge and time spent in posting?

I will go with Abettor !