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.
© Webster 1913