oppress

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   come down on or keep down by unjust use of one's authority

   The government oppresses political activists

2. 2
   verb

   To keep down by unjust force.

   The rural poor were oppressed by the land-owners.

3. 3
   verb

   To make sad or gloomy.

   We were oppressed by the constant grey skies.

4. 4
   verb

   Physically to press down on (someone) with harmful effects; to smother, crush.

   Most mercilesse of women, VVyden hight, / Her other sonne fast sleeping did oppresse, / And with most cruell hand him murdred pittilesse.

5. 5
   verb

   cause to suffer

6. 6
   verb

   To sexually violate; to rape.

7. 7
   noun

   Oppression.

Etymology

From Middle English oppressen, from Old French oppresser, from Medieval Latin oppressare (“to press against, oppress”), frequentative of Latin opprimere, past participle oppressus (“to press against, press together, oppress”), from ob (“against”) + premere, past participle pressus (“to press”); see press.