Op-prĕss’, v. t.
v. t. [imp. & p. p. OPPRESSED (-prĕst’); p. pr. & vb. n. OPPRESSING.] [Lat. opprimere, oppressum, from prefix ob and premere, to press; It. opprimere, oppressare, Sp. oprimir, opresar, Pr. opprimer, Fr. opprimer, oppresser.]
Sense 1. To press down; to press severely, cruelly, or unjustly; to burden or constrain; to overburden; to overpower.
For thee, oppressed king, am I cast down. Shak.
Behold the kings of the earth! how they oppress Thy chosen! Milton.
Sense 2. To sit or lie heavy upon; as, excess of food oppresses the stomach.