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oppression - 4 dictionary results

op⋅pres⋅sion

[uh-presh-uhn]
–noun
1. the exercise of authority or power in a burdensome, cruel, or unjust manner.
2. an act or instance of oppressing.
3. the state of being oppressed.
4. the feeling of being heavily burdened, mentally or physically, by troubles, adverse conditions, anxiety, etc.

Origin:
1300–50; ME oppressioun < MF < L oppressiōn- (s. of oppressiō) a pressing down, equiv. to oppress(us) (see oppress ) + -iōn- -ion


1. tyranny, despotism, persecution. 3, 4. hardship, suffering.


1. kindness, justice.
op·pres·sion   (ə-prěsh'ən)   
n.  
    1. The act of oppressing; arbitrary and cruel exercise of power: "There can be no really pervasive system of oppression . . . without the consent of the oppressed" (Florynce R. Kennedy).
    2. The state of being oppressed.
  1. Something that oppresses.
  2. A feeling of being heavily weighed down in mind or body.

Oppression

Op*pres"sion\, n. [F., fr. L. oppressio.]

1. The act of oppressing, or state of being oppressed.

2. That which oppresses; a hardship or injustice; cruelty; severity; tyranny. "The multitude of oppressions." --Job xxxv. 9.

3. A sense of heaviness or obstruction in the body or mind; depression; dullness; lassitude; as, an oppression of spirits; an oppression of the lungs.

There gentlee Sleep First found me, and with soft oppression seized My drowsed sense. --Milton.

4. Ravishment; rape. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Language Translation for : oppression
Spanish: opresión,
German: die Unterdrückung,
Japanese: 圧制

Main Entry: op·pres·sion
Pronunciation: &-'pre-sh&n
Function: noun
: an unjust or excessive exercise of power: as a : unlawful, wrongful, or corrupt exercise of authority by a public official acting under color of authority that causes a person harm b : dishonest, unfair, wrongful, or burdensome conduct by corporate directors or majority shareholders that entitles minority shareholders to compel involuntary dissolution of the corporation c : inequality of bargaining power resulting in one party's lack of ability to negotiate or exercise meaningful choice —see also UNCONSCIONABILITYop·pres·sive /&-'pre-siv/ adjective
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