WordWeight : Weighing the Words

Pronunciation : De*pres"sion
Part of Speech : n.
Etymology : [L. depressio: cf. F. d?pression.]
Definition : 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.)

Defn: The angular distance of a celestial object below the horizon.

8. (Math.)

Defn: The operation of reducing to a lower degree; -- said of equations.

9. (Surg.)

Defn: 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 degreees 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.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913