sup ‧ press /səˈpres/ BrE AmE verb [transitive]
[ Date: 1300-1400 ; Language: Latin ; Origin: past participle of supprimere , from sub- ( ⇨ ↑ sub- ) + premere 'to press' ]
1 . to stop people from opposing the government, especially by using force:
The uprising was ruthlessly suppressed.
2 . if important information or opinions are suppressed, people are prevented from knowing about them, even if they have a right to know:
The police were accused of suppressing evidence.
3 . to stop yourself from showing your feelings:
Harry could scarcely suppress a smile.
suppressed anger
4 . to prevent something from growing or developing, or from working effectively:
The virus suppresses the body’s immune system.
—suppressible adjective
—suppression /səˈpreʃ ə n/ noun [uncountable] :
the suppression of opposition parties