Part 184

3. (Zoöl.) Having the vertical diameter shorter than the horizontal or transverse; -- said of the bodies of animals, or of parts of the bodies.

De*press"ing*ly, adv. In a depressing manner.

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.

De*press"ive (?), a. Able or tending to depress or cast down. -- De*press"ive*ness, n.

De*pres`so*mo"tor (?), a. (Med.) Depressing or diminishing the capacity for movement, as depressomotor nerves, which lower or inhibit muscular activity. -- n. Any agent that depresses the activity of the motor centers, as bromides, etc.

De*press"or (?), n. 1. One who, or that which, presses down; an oppressor.

2. (Anat.) A muscle that depresses or tends to draw down a part.

Depressor nerve (Physiol.), a nerve which lowers the activity of an organ; as, the depressor nerve of the heart.

Dep"ri*ment (?), a. [L. deprimens, p. pr. of deprimere. See Depress.] Serving to depress. [R.] "Depriment muscles." Derham.

De*pri"sure (?), n. [F. dépriser to undervalue; pref. dé- (L. dis-) + priser to prize, fr. prix price, fr. L. pretium. See Dispraise.] Low estimation; disesteem; contempt. [Obs.]

De*priv"a*ble (?), a. Capable of being, or liable to be, deprived; liable to be deposed.

Kings of Spain . . . deprivable for their tyrannies.

Prynne.

Dep`ri*va"tion (?), n. [LL. deprivatio.] 1. The act of depriving, dispossessing, or bereaving; the act of deposing or divesting of some dignity.

2. The state of being deprived; privation; loss; want; bereavement.

3. (Eccl. Law) the taking away from a clergyman his benefice, or other spiritual promotion or dignity.