3. (Zoöl.) Having the vertical diameter shorter than the horizontal or transverse; — said of the bodies of
animals, or of parts of the bodies.
Depressingly
(De*press"ing*ly), adv. In a depressing manner.
Depression
(De*pres"sion) n. [L. depressio: cf. F. dépression.]
1. The act of depressing.
2. The state of being depressed; a sinking.
3. A falling in of the surface; a sinking below its true place; a cavity or hollow; as, roughness consists in
little protuberances and depressions.
4. Humiliation; abasement, as of pride.
5. Dejection; despondency; lowness.
In a great depression of spirit.
Baker. 6. Diminution, as of trade, etc.; inactivity; dullness.
7. (Astron.) The angular distance of a celestial object below the horizon.
8. (Math.) The operation of reducing to a lower degree; — said of equations.
9. (Surg.) A method of operating for cataract; couching. See Couch, v. t., 8.
Angle of depression (Geod.), one which a descending line makes with a horizontal plane. — Depression
of the dewpoint (Meteor.), the number of degrees that the dew-point is lower than the actual temperature
of the atmosphere. — Depression of the pole, its apparent sinking, as the spectator goes toward the
equator. — Depression of the visible horizon. (Astron.) Same as Dip of the horizon, under Dip.
Syn. — Abasement; reduction; sinking; fall; humiliation; dejection; melancholy.
Depressive
(De*press"ive) a. Able or tending to depress or cast down. — De*press"ive*ness, n.
Depressomotor
(De*pres`so*mo"tor) a. (Med.) Depressing or diminishing the capacity for movement,
as depressomotor nerves, which lower or inhibit muscular activity. — n. Any agent that depresses the
activity of the motor centers, as bromides, etc.
Depressor
(De*press"or) n.
1. One who, or that which, presses down; an oppressor.
2. (Anat.) A muscle that depresses or tends to draw down a part.
Depressor nerve (Physiol.), a nerve which lowers the activity of an organ; as, the depressor nerve of
the heart.
Depriment
(Dep"ri*ment) a. [L. deprimens, p. pr. of deprimere. See Depress.] Serving to depress.
[R.] "Depriment muscles." Derham.
Deprisure
(De*pri"sure) n. [F. dépriser to undervalue; pref. dé- (L. dis-) + priser to prize, fr. prix price,
fr. L. pretium. See Dispraise.] Low estimation; disesteem; contempt. [Obs.]
