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depression definition

de·pres·sion (dē pres̸hən, di-)

noun

  1. a depressing or being depressed
  2. a depressed part or place; hollow or low place on a surface
  3. low spirits; gloominess; dejection; sadness
  4. a decrease in force, activity, amount, etc.
  5. Astron. the angular distance of a celestial body below the horizon
  6. Econ. a period marked by slackening of business activity, widespread unemployment, falling prices and wages, etc.
  7. Med. a decrease in functional activity
  8. Meteorol.
    1. a lowering of the atmospheric pressure indicated by the fall of mercury in a barometer
    2. an area of relatively low barometric pressure; low
  9. Psychol. an emotional condition, either neurotic or psychotic, characterized by feelings of hopelessness, inadequacy, etc.
  10. Surveying the angular distance of an object below the horizontal plane

Etymology: ME depressioun < OFr depression < L depressio: see depress

depression Idioms

the (Great) Depression

the period of economic depression which began in 1929 and lasted through most of the 1930s

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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