depression
//dɪˈpɹɛʃən//
Forms
- Plural
- depressions
Definitions
1.A state of mind producing serious, long-term lowering of enjoyment of life or inability to visualize a happy future; any of several mental disorders with this state of mind as a central feature.
- I used to suffer from depression, but now I'm mostly content with my life.
- It is that Mr. Levi's death could not be dissociated from the major depression with which he was afflicted, and that indeed his suicide proceeded directly from that illness.
2.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.An area that is lower in topography than its surroundings.
4.An area of lowered air pressure that generally brings moist weather, sometimes promoting hurricanes and tornadoes.
Frequency
Overall
Uncommon· #2273
By learning goal
- Everyday conversation
- Rare
- General reading & writing
- Uncommon
- Academic
- Rare
- Literature
- Rare
Etymology
From Middle English depression, depressioun, from Old French depression, from Latin dēpressiō.
Equivalent to depress + -ion.