oppress

Meaning

Verb

• To keep down by unjust force.
• To make sad or gloomy.
• Physically to press down on (someone) with harmful effects; to smother, crush.

Origin

• From Middle English oppressen, from Old French oppresser, from Medieval Latin oppressare ("to press against, oppress"), frequentative of Latin opprimere, past participle oppressus, from ob + premere, past participle pressus; see press.