ausgesetzt

Ausgesetzt is a German term that functions as both an adjective and the past participle of the verb aussetzen. It describes something or someone that is exposed to external factors, danger, or neglect, and it can also refer to abandonment or leaving something unsheltered.

The core sense of the word is exposure or vulnerability. In physical terms, a person or object may be exposed to weather, heat, cold, or other hazards: der Mann ist der Kälte ausgesetzt. In contexts of neglect or abandonment, it describes beings left without care, such as ein Tier, das ausgesetzt wurde. In legal and administrative language, Aussetzung denotes a temporary suspension or deferment, for example die Aussetzung der Strafe or die Aussetzung des Verfahrens. The noun Aussetzung is used to refer to both the condition of exposure and the act or result of suspending an action or penalty.

In medical, environmental, or occupational contexts, Aussetzung can refer to exposure to a substance, radiation, or other risk factors: Eine Person ist Umweltbelastungen ausgesetzt. The term also appears in literature and journalism to emphasize vulnerability, risk, or neglect. Although closely related to the broader idea of being unprotected, Ausgesetzt carries a negative or cautionary connotation depending on context, particularly when it implies abandonment or hazardous exposure.

See also: Aussetzen; Aussetzung; Exposition.