Oppress

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -É›s

Origin

From Middle English oppressen, from Old French oppresser, from Medieval Latin oppressare ("to press against, oppress"), frequentive of Latin opprimere, past participle oppressus ("to press against, press together, oppress"), from ob ("against") + premere, past participle pressus ("to press"); see press.

Full definition of oppress

Verb

1. (obsolete) Physically to press down on (someone) with harmful effects; to smother, crush.
• Spenser Faerie Queene, II.x:Most mercilesse of women, VVyden hight,
  Her other sonne fast sleeping did oppresse,
  And with most cruell hand him murdred pittilesse.
2. (transitive) To keep down by forceThe rural poor were oppressed by the land-owners.
3. (transitive) To make sad or gloomyWe were oppressed by the constant grey skies.

Related terms

• oppression