verstießen

The German verb *verstießen* is the past tense (preterite) form of *verstoßen*, meaning "to violate," "to infringe," or "to expel." It is commonly used in legal, social, and formal contexts to describe actions that contravene rules, laws, or norms.

In legal contexts, *verstießen* refers to breaches of regulations or statutes. For example, a company might *verstoßen* against environmental laws if it fails to comply with pollution controls. The verb can also describe violations of ethical or social standards, such as breaking a promise or violating human rights.

The term is derived from the Middle High German *verstozen*, combining *ver-* (a prefix indicating negation or reversal) and *stozen* (to push or thrust). Over time, its meaning expanded to include both physical expulsion and the violation of abstract principles.

In modern usage, *verstießen* is often paired with prepositions like *gegen* ("against") to clarify the nature of the violation. For instance, one might say *gegen die Regeln verstießen* ("violated the rules"). The verb is transitive, requiring a direct object to indicate what was violated.

While *verstoßen* is primarily a formal term, its past tense *verstießen* appears in historical or narrative contexts to describe past actions. The verb remains relevant in discussions of compliance, governance, and accountability, reflecting its enduring role in legal and social discourse.