repress
UK[rɪˈprɛs]US[rɪˈprɛs]
v
to not allow something, especially a feeling, to be expressed
v
to use force or violence to control people and prevent them from opposing the government
Morpheme Breakdown
re
press
re
again
press
push
Etymology
the word "repress" is built from the latin prefix "re-", indicating backward action or intensity, and the verb "premere" (past participle "pressus"), meaning to press or push. the literal sense of "pressing back" evolved into the figurative meanings of holding back emotions or suppressing opposition. this semantic shift from physical constraint to psychological and political control illustrates how the concrete action of pushing was metaphorically extended to abstract forces. the term entered english via old french "reprimer", solidifying its dual application to internal feelings and external social forces.
Analysis
Structure: re (again) + press (push)
re- (latin origin, a prefix meaning "again" or "back"); press (latin origin, from 'pressare', meaning "to press, push, or squeeze")
Examples
she could barely repress a smile at his comment.
the regime brutally repressed any form of dissent.
he had learned to repress his anger over the years.