lessen the activity or force of; "The rising inflation depressed the economy" lower someone's spirits; make downhearted; "These news depressed her"; "The bad state of her child's health demoralizes her" lower (prices or markets); "The glut of oil depressed gas prices
[ di-'pres, dE- ] (transitive verb.) 14th century. Middle English, from Middle French depresser, from Latin depressus, past participle of deprimere to press down, from de- + premere to press; more at PRESS.