释义 |
op·press \əˈpres\ transitive verb (-ed/-ing/-es) Etymology: Middle English oppressen, from Middle French oppresser, from Medieval Latin oppressare, from Latin oppressus, past participle of opprimere to press down, from ob- + -primere (from premere to press) — more at press 1. a. archaic : to put down : suppress, quell b. : to crush, burden, or trample down by or as if by abuse of power or authority : treat with unjust vigor or with cruelty < rulers that oppress the people > 2. a. : to burden spiritually or mentally as if by pressure : weigh heavily upon : weigh down < oppressed by a sense of failure > < oppressed by prolonged sultry weather > b. obsolete : harass, distress 3. archaic a. : to press upon with physical violence : injure by physical pressure : crush, trample b. : to overpower in or as if in battle : overwhelm by numbers c. : overcome — used of sleep, death, or other vital phenomena 4. obsolete a. : to take unawares b. : rape, ravish Synonyms: see depress, wrong |