\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}.
Syn: Abasement; reduction; sinking; fall; humiliation;
     dejection; melancholy.