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.
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