depression
pronunciation
How to pronounce depression in British English:
UK [dɪˈpreʃn]
How to pronounce depression in American English:
US [dɪˈpreʃn]
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- Noun:
- a mental state characterized by a pessimistic sense of inadequacy and a despondent lack of activity
- a long-term economic state characterized by unemployment and low prices and low levels of trade and investment
- a sunken or depressed geological formation
- sad feelings of gloom and inadequacy
- an air mass of lower pressure; often brings precipitation
- a state of depression and anhedonia so severe as to require clinical intervention
- a concavity in a surface produced by pressing
- angular distance below the horizon (especially of a celestial object)
- pushing down
Word Origin
- depression (n.)
- late 14c. as a term in astronomy, from Old French depression (14c.) or directly from Latin depressionem (nominative depressio), noun of action from past participle stem of deprimere "to press down, depress" (see depress). Attested from 1650s in the literal sense; meaning "dejection, depression of spirits" is from early 15c. (as a clinical term in psychology, from 1905); meteorological sense is from 1881 (in reference to barometric pressure); meaning "a lowering or reduction in economic activity" was in use by 1826; given a specific application (with capital D-) by 1934 to the one that began worldwide in 1929. For "melancholy, depression" an Old English word was grevoushede.
Synonym
Antonym
Example
- 1. Even the depression is getting worse .
- 2. It can cause stress and depression .
- 3. What illnesses often co-exist with depression ?
- 4. Anxiety and depression commonly occur alongside these bowel conditions .
- 5. But by 1980 the memory of the depression had faded .