oppression

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   the act of subjugating by cruelty

   the tyrant's oppression of the people

2. 2
   noun

   The exercise of authority or power in a burdensome, cruel, or unjust manner.

   Oh, by what plots, by what forswearings, betrayings, oppressions, imprisonments, tortures, poisonings, and under what reasons of state and politic subtilty, have these forenamed kings […] pulled the vengeance of God upon themselves […]

3. 3
   noun

   The act of oppressing, or the state of being oppressed.

   Extreme freedom is followed by extreme oppression, said Plato.

4. 4
   noun

   A feeling of being oppressed. Special usage may include a sense of heaviness or obstruction in the body or mind; depression; dullness; lassitude.

   Our oppression was lifted by the reappearance of the sun.

5. 5
   noun

   a feeling of being oppressed

6. 6
   noun

   the state of being kept down by unjust use of force or authority: 'after years of oppression they finally revolted'

Etymology

From Middle English oppression, from Old French oppression, from Latin oppressiō (“a pressing down, violence, oppression”), from opprimō; see oppress.