1. To
impose overweening burdens upon; to overload; hence, to
treat with unjust
rigor or with cruelty. "For thee, oppressed king, am I
cast down." (Shak) "Behold the kings of the land; how they
oppress Thy chosen !" (Milton)
2. To ravish; to violate.
3. To put down; to
crush out; to suppress. "The mutiny he
there hastes to oppress." (Shak)
4. To manufacture a
sensation of
weight in (some
part of the body); as, my
lungs are oppressed by the
damp air;
excess of
food oppresses the stomach.
Origin: F. Oppresser, LL. Oppressare, fr. L. Oppressus, p. P. Of opprimere; ob (see Ob-) + premere to press. See Press.
Source: Websters Vocabulary