| depress | Having the middle lower than the border; concave. "If the seal be depress or hollow." (Hammond) Origin: L. Depressus, p. P. 1. To press down; to cause to sink; to let fall; to lower; as, to depress the muzzle of a gun; to depress the eyes. "With lips depressed." 2. To bring down or humble; to abase, as pride. 3. To cast a gloom upon; to sadden; as, his spirits were depressed. 4. To lessen the activity of; to make dull; embarrass, as trade, commerce, etc. 5. To lessen in price; to cause to decline in value; to cheapen; to depreciate. 6. <mathematics> To reduce (an equation) in a lower degree. To depress the pole, to cause the sidereal pole to appear lower or nearer the horizon, as by sailing toward the equator. Synonym: To sink, lower, abase, cast down, deject, humble, degrade, dispirit, discourage. Origin: L. Depressus, p. P. Of deprimere; de- + premere to press. See Press. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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| depressant | <medicine> An agent or remedy which lowers the vital powers. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| depressed | Flattened as if pressed down from the top or end. (09 Oct 1997) |
| depressed fracture | A skull fracture with inward displacement of a part of the calvarium. (27 Sep 1997) |
| depressed skull fracture | A skull fracture with inward displacement of a part of the calvarium. (27 Sep 1997) |
| depression | 1. A lowering or decrease of functional activity. 2. <psychiatry> A mental state of depressed mood characterised by feelings of sadness, despair and discouragement. Depression ranges from normal feelings of the blues through dysthymia to major depression. It in many ways resembles the grief and mourning that follow bereavement, there are often feelings of low self esteem, guilt and self reproach, withdrawal from interpersonal contact and somatic symptoms such as eating and sleep disturbances. Origin: L. Depremere = to press down (18 Nov 1997) |
| depression of optic disk | The normally occurring depression or pit in the centre of the optic disc. Synonym: excavatio disci, depression of optic disk, excavatio papillae, physiologic cup, physiologic excavation. (05 Mar 2000) |
| depression, bipolar | Formerly called manic- depressive illness. Not nearly as prevalent as other forms of depressive disorders, bipolar disorder involves cycles of depression and elation or mania. Sometimes the mood switches are dramatic and rapid, but most often they are gradual. When in the depressed cycle, you can have any or all of the symptoms of a depressive disorder. When in the manic cycle, any or all symptoms listed under mania may be experienced. Mania often affects thinking, judgment, and social behaviour in ways that cause serious problems and embarrassment. For example, unwise business or financial decisions may be made when an individual is in a manic phase. Bipolar disorder is often a chronic recurring condition. (12 Dec 1998) |
| depression, dysthmia | A less severe type of depression, dysthymia involves long-term chronic symptoms that do not disable, but keep one from functioning at full steam or from feeling good. Sometimes people with dysthymia also experience major depressive episodes. (12 Dec 1998) |
| depression, involutional | Marked depression appearing in the involution period and characterised by hallucinations, delusions, paranoia, and agitation. (12 Dec 1998) |
| depression, major | Major depression is manifested by a combination of symptoms (see Depression, symptoms of) that interfere with the ability to work, sleep, eat, and enjoy once pleasurable activities. These disabling episodes of depression can occur once, twice, or several times in a lifetime. (12 Dec 1998) |
| depression, postpartum | Depression in women occurring usually within four weeks after the delivery of a child. The degree of depression ranges from mild transient depression to neurotic or psychotic depressive disorders. (12 Dec 1998) |
| depressive | 1. Pushing down. 2. Pertaining to or causing depression. (05 Mar 2000) |
| depressive disorder | An affective disorder manifested by either a dysphoric mood or loss of interest or pleasure in usual activities. The mood disturbance is prominent and relatively persistent. (12 Dec 1998) |
| depressive neurosis | See: depression, dysthymia. (05 Mar 2000) |