De-press'1, v. t.
[imp. & p. p. DEPRESSED (de-prest'); p. pr. & vb. n. DEPRESSING.] [Lat. deprimere, depressum, from de and premere, pressum, to press.]
Sense 1. To press down; to cause to sink; to let fall; to lower; as, to depress the muzzle of a gun; to depress the eye.
Sense 2. To bring down or humble; to abase, as pride.
Sense 3. To cast a gloom upon; to sadden; as, his spirits were depressed.
Sense 4. To lessen the activity of; to embarrass, as trade, commerce, &c.
Sense 5. To lessen the price of; to cause to decline in value; to cheapen.
Sense 6. (Alg.) To reduce to a lower degree;—said of an equation. [Obs.]
To depress the pole (Naut.), to cause it 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.