depression
see also: Depression
Etymology

From Middle English depression, depressioun, from Old French depression, from Latin dēpressiō.

Pronunciation
  • (RP) IPA: /dɪˈpɹɛʃən/
  • (America) IPA: /dəˈpɹɛʃ(ə)n/
Noun

depression

  1. (psychology, usually, uncountable) A state of mind producing serious, long-term lowering of enjoyment of life or inability to visualize a happy future.
    I used to suffer from depression, but now I'm mostly content with my life.
  2. (psychology, countable) A period of low morale or unhappiness (a period of experiencing the above-mentioned state of mind) which lasts longer than several weeks and may include ideation of self-inflicted injury or suicide.
  3. (geography) An area that is lower in topography than its surroundings.
    • 1879, R[ichard] J[efferies], chapter 1, in The Amateur Poacher, London: Smith, Elder, & Co., […], →OCLC ↗:
      It was not far from the house; but the ground sank into a depression there, and the ridge of it behind shut out everything except just the roof of the tallest hayrick. As one sat on the sward behind the elm, with the back turned on the rick and nothing in front but the tall elms and the oaks in the other hedge, it was quite easy to fancy it the verge of the prairie with the backwoods close by.
  4. (meteorology) An area of lowered air pressure that generally brings moist weather, sometimes promoting hurricanes and tornadoes.
  5. (economics) A period of major economic contraction.
  6. (economics, US) Four consecutive quarters of negative, real GDP growth. See NBER.
    The Great Depression was the worst financial event in US history.
  7. The act of lowering or pressing something down.
    Depression of the lever starts the machine.
  8. (biology, physiology) A lowering, in particular a reduction in a particular biological variable or the function of an organ, in contrast to elevation.
Translations Translations Translations Translations Translations Translations Translations
Depression
Proper noun
  1. Synonym of Great Depression.



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