In psychology and ethology, the tendency or impulse to move away from or avoid something (opposite of appetence).
From Latin 'abire' (to go away, depart), from 'ab-' (away from) and 'ire' (to go). Combined with the suffix '-ence' (state or quality), it was formed as the opposite of 'appetence' (desire to approach). First used in psychological terminology in the 19th century.
Abience is the biological urge to say 'no thanks' and step back—your nervous system's warning light. Animals show abience when they flee danger, and humans do it when we recoil from hot stoves or disagreeable people. It's paired beautifully with appetence (attraction), showing how life is built on approach-and-avoid decisions.
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