Abstösst

Abstösst is a German term linked to the verb abstoßen (to push away) and to the noun Abstoßung. In standard modern German, abstoßen is a separable verb; the third-person present tense is stößt ab, and the past participle is abgestoßen. The form abstößt is not the standard modern spelling for the verb’s present tense, though it may appear in older texts or in certain regional spellings.

In science, Abstoßung denotes repulsion or the act of pushing objects apart. In physics, electrostatic repulsion occurs between like charges, while other forces can produce short-range repulsion as well. In chemistry and molecular physics, steric repulsion arises when bulky groups or overlapping electron clouds prevent close approach of atoms; exchange repulsion can result from the Pauli exclusion principle when electron orbitals overlap.

In everyday language, abstoßend describes something repellent or unattractive, capable of causing aversion. A person, behavior, or appearance can be described as abstoßend.

Etymology: The word is built from the prefix ab- meaning away and the verb stoßen meaning to push. It appears in technical literature as Abstoßung and in general-language usage as abstoßend or abstoßen.