/ rɪˈpres; NAmE / verb [ vn ]
1.
to try not to have or show an emotion, a feeling, etc.
SYN control :
to repress a smile
He burst in, making no effort to repress his fury.
2.
[ often passive ] to use political and/or military force to control a group of people and restrict their freedom
SYN put down , suppress
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English (in the sense keep back something objectionable ): from Latin repress- pressed back, checked, from the verb reprimere , from re- back + premere to press.