DEPRESSION

noun Date: 14th century 1. the angular distance of a celestial object below the horizon, the size of an angle of ~, an act of depressing or a state of being depressed: as, a pressing down ; lowering , b. a state of feeling sad ; dejection , a psychoneurotic or psychotic disorder marked especially by sadness, inactivity, difficulty in thinking and concentration, a significant increase or decrease in appetite and time spent sleeping, feelings of dejection and hopelessness, and sometimes suicidal tendencies, c. a reduction in activity, amount, quality, or force, a lowering of vitality or functional activity, a depressed place or part ; hollow , low 1b, a period of low general economic activity marked especially by rising levels of unemployment