depresses
|de-press-es|
/dɪˈprɛs/
(depress)
feeling down
Etymology
'depress' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'deprimere', where 'de-' meant 'down' and 'premere' (from 'premere') meant 'to press'.
'depress' changed from Latin 'deprimere' into Old French/Middle French forms (e.g. 'deprimer') and entered Middle English as forms such as 'depressen', eventually becoming the modern English 'depress'.
Initially, it meant 'to press down physically', but over time it evolved to include the meanings 'to lower or reduce (e.g. prices, activity)' and 'to make someone sad or dispirited'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Verb 1
third-person singular present of 'depress': to make (someone) feel sad, disheartened, or discouraged.
Her constant criticism depresses him.
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Verb 2
third-person singular present of 'depress': to reduce or lower the level, amount, or strength of something (e.g., prices, activity, output).
A sudden fall in demand depresses prices across the market.
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Verb 3
third-person singular present of 'depress': to press something down, physically push down or press a switch/button.
He depresses the switch to start the machine.
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Last updated: 2025/12/02 09:50