bettying

Verb

betty (third-person singular simple present betties, present participle bettying, simple past and past participle bettied)

1. To pick a lock, to open with a betty.
   • “Well then,” he said. “Let’s say you can betty the lock, hang on a rope, and break the drum, and then lock up again with nobody the wiser. How do I get on in the first place, past the Scots jack, with his sharp cool?”1976, Michael Crichton, The Great Train Robbery, page 185
2. (archaic) To be overly attentive to someone or something.
   • “I’m perfectly well, thank you, Miss Hester,” she said, coldly. “I detest being bettied.”1877 August 16, Julia Dartman, “Aunty Di”, in The Youth’s Companion, page 1

See all 10 meanings of betty