depress
UK[dɪˈprɛs]US[dɪˈprɛs]
v
To make someone feel very unhappy and without hope.
v
To reduce the level or amount of something, especially economic activity.
v
To press or push something down.
Morpheme Breakdown
de
press
de
down
press
press
Etymology
The word "depress" originates from the Latin verb deprimere, which is a compound of the prefix de- ("down") and the verb premere ("to press"). Its literal, physical meaning of "to press down" was carried directly into Middle English via Old French. Over time, this concrete sense evolved metaphorically; just as a physical object can be pressed down, so too can one's spirits or economic conditions be figuratively lowered or pushed into a diminished state. This etymological journey from a physical action to a psychological and economic abstraction clearly illustrates the logic behind its modern meanings.
Analysis
Structure: de (down) + press (press)
- de: A Latin prefix meaning "down, away, off, completely." It indicates reversal, removal, or downward motion.
- press: From Latin pressus, the past participle of premere, meaning "to press." It functions as the core root indicating the action of applying pressure.
Examples
The gloomy weather can really depress your mood.
High interest rates are likely to depress consumer spending.
Depress the clutch pedal fully before changing gears.