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.
Syn. -- To sink; lower; abase; cast down; deject; humble;
degrade; dispirit; discourage.
De*press", a. [L. depressus, p.
p.] Having the middle lower than the border; concave.
[Obs.]
If the seal be depress or hollow.
Hammond.
