- Depression
- Depression De*pres"sion, n. [L. depressio: cf. F.
d['e]pression.]
1. The act of depressing.
[1913 Webster]
2. The state of being depressed; a sinking. [1913 Webster]
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. [1913 Webster]
4. Humiliation; abasement, as of pride. [1913 Webster]
5. Dejection; despondency; lowness. [1913 Webster]
In a great depression of spirit. --Baker. [1913 Webster]
6. Diminution, as of trade, etc.; inactivity; dullness. [1913 Webster]
7. (Astron.) The angular distance of a celestial object below the horizon. [1913 Webster]
8. (Math.) The operation of reducing to a lower degree; -- said of equations. [1913 Webster]
9. (Surg.) A method of operating for cataract; couching. See {Couch}, v. t., 8. [1913 Webster]
{Angle of depression} (Geod.), one which a descending line makes with a horizontal plane.
{Depression of the dewpoint} (Meteor.), the number of degrees 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. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
