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.
© Webster 1913.
De*press", a. [L. depressus, p. p.]
Having the middle lower than the border; concave.
[Obs.]
If the seal be depress or hollow.
Hammond.
© Webster 1913.