The definition of oppress is to keep something down using cruel or unjust power.
(verb)An example of oppress is for a dictator to force the poor people of his country to work in terrible conditions for little pay.
To oppress is to have something worry you or weigh you down.
(verb)An example of oppress is to have worry that you might be laid off from your job.
See oppress in Webster's New World College Dictionary
transitive verb
Origin: ME oppressen < OFr oppresser < ML oppressare < L oppressus, pp. of opprimere, to press against < ob- (see ob-) + premere, press
Related Forms:
See oppress in American Heritage Dictionary 4
transitive verb op·pressed, op·press·ing, op·press·es
Origin:
Origin: Middle English oppressen
Origin: , from Old French opresser
Origin: , back-formation from oppression, oppression
Origin: , from Latin oppressiō, oppressiōn-
Origin: , from oppressus
Origin: , past participle of opprimere, to press against
Origin: : ob-, against; see ob-
Origin: + premere, to press; see per-4 in Indo-European roots
.Related Forms:
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