Dictionary Information: Definition Depress - Description Meaning Thesaurus

Depress (De*press") (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Depressed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Depressing.]
[L. depressus, p. p. of deprimere; de- + premere to press. See Press.]

1. To press down; to cause to sink; to let fall; to lower; as, to depress the muzzle of a gun; to depress the eyes. "With lips depressed." Tennyson.
2. To bring down or humble; to abase, as pride.
3. To cast a gloom upon; to sadden; as, his spirits were depressed.
4. To lessen the activity of; to make dull; embarrass, as trade, commerce, etc.
5. To lessen in price; to cause to decline in value; to cheapen; to depreciate.
6. (Math.) To reduce (an equation) in a lower degree.

-- To depress the pole (Naut.), to cause the sidereal pole to appear lower or nearer the horizon, as by sailing toward the equator.

Synonyms -- To sink; lower; abase; cast down; deject; humble; degrade; dispirit; discourage.

Depress (De*press"), a.
[L. depressus, p. p.]

Having the middle lower than the border; concave. [Obs.] "If the seal be depress or hollow." Hammond.