depression n
1. a mental state characterized by a pessimistic sense of inadequacy and a despondent lack of activity [ant: elation]
2. a long-term economic state characterized by unemployment and low prices and low levels of trade and investment [syn: slump, economic crisis]
3. a sunken or depressed geological formation [syn: natural depression] [ant: natural elevation]
4. sad feelings of gloom and inadequacy
5. a time period during the 1930s when there was a worldwide economic depression and mass unemployment [syn: the Depression, the Great Depression]
6. an air mass of lower pressure; often brings precipitation; "a low moved in over night bringing sleet and snow" [syn: low, low pressure]
7. a state of depression and anhedonia so severe as to require clinical intervention [syn: depressive disorder, clinical depression}]
8. a concavity in a surface produced by pressing; "he left the impression of his fingers in the soft mud" [syn: impression, imprint]
9. angular distance below the horizon (especially of a celestial object)
10. pushing down; "depression of the space bar on the typewriter"

Depression \De*pres"sion\, n. [L. depressio: cf. F. d['e]pression.]
1. The act of depressing.
2. The state of being depressed; a sinking.
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.
4. Humiliation; abasement, as of pride.
5. Dejection; despondency; lowness. In a great depression of spirit. --Baker.
6. Diminution, as of trade, etc.; inactivity; dullness.
7. (Astron.) The angular distance of a celestial object below the horizon.
8. (Math.) The operation of reducing to a lower degree; -- said of equations.
9. (Surg.) A method of operating for cataract; couching. See Couch, v. t., 8. 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.

See more meaning on Depression...

• Depression: Depression or depress(ed) may refer to. Medicine : Depression (mood), a state of low mood and aversion to activity. Mood disorder , a class of ...
• Great Depression: The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II . of the Great Depression varied ...
• Depression (mood): Depression is a state of low mood and aversion to activity that can affect a person's thoughts, behaviour, feelings and physical well-being ...
• Depression (economics): In economics , a depression is a sustained, long-term downturn in economic activity in one or more economies. It is a more severe downturn ...
• Depression (geology): A depression in geology is a landform sunken or depressed below the surrounding area. Depressions may be formed by various mechanisms. ...
• Great Depression in the United States: The Great Depression started with the Wall Street Crash of October, 1929 and rapidly spread worldwide. The market crash marked the ...
• Long Depression: The Long Depression was a worldwide economic crisis, felt most heavily in Europe and the United States, which had been experiencing strong ...

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