De*pres"sion (?), n. [L.
depressio: cf. F. dépression.]
1. The act of depressing.
2. The state of being depressed; a
sinking.
3. A falling in of the surface; a sinking
below its true place; a cavity or hollow; as, roughness consists in
little protuberances and depressions.
4. Humiliation; abasement, as of
pride.
5. Dejection; despondency; lowness.
In a great depression of spirit.
Baker.
6. Diminution, as of trade, etc.; inactivity;
dullness.
7. (Astron.) The angular distance of a
celestial object below the horizon.
8. (Math.) The operation of reducing
to a lower degree; -- said of equations.
9. (Surg.) A method of operating for
cataract; couching. See Couch, v. t.,
8.
Angle of depression (Geod.), one
which a descending line makes with a horizontal plane. --
Depression of the dewpoint (Meteor.),
the number of degrees that the dew-point is lower than the actual
temperature of the atmosphere. -- Depression of the
pole, its apparent sinking, as the spectator goes
toward the equator. -- Depression of the visible
horizon. (Astron.) Same as Dip of the
horizon, under Dip.
Syn. -- Abasement; reduction; sinking; fall; humiliation;
dejection; melancholy.
