| oppress | 1. To impose excessive 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 earth; 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 produce 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 Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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| oppressure | Oppression. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |