\De*press"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Depressed}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Depressing}.] [L. depressus, p. p. of deprimere; de-
+ premere to press. See {Press}.]
1. To press down; to cause to sink; to let fall; to lower;
   as, to depress the muzzle of a gun; to depress the eyes.
   ``With lips depressed.'' --Tennyson.
2. To bring down or humble; to abase, as pride.
3. To cast a gloom upon; to sadden; as, his spirits were
   depressed.
4. To lessen the activity of; to make dull; embarrass, as
   trade, commerce, etc.
5. To lessen in price; to cause to decline in value; to
   cheapen; to depreciate.
6. (Math.) To reduce (an equation) in a lower degree.
{To depress the pole} (Naut.), to cause the sidereal pole to
   appear lower or nearer the horizon, as by sailing toward
   the equator.
Syn: To sink; lower; abase; cast down; deject; humble;
     degrade; dispirit; discourage.

\De*press"\, a. [L. depressus, p. p.]
Having the middle lower than the border; concave. [Obs.]
      If the seal be depress or hollow.        --Hammond.