əˈpreshən noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle French, from Latin oppression-, oppressio, from oppressus + -ion-, -io -ion
1.
a. : unjust or cruel exercise of authority or power especially by the imposition of burdens ; especially : the unlawful, excessive, or corrupt exercise of power other than by extortion by any public officer so as to harm anyone in his rights, person, or property while purporting to act under color of governmental authority
b. : something that so oppresses : exaction
unfair taxes and other oppressions
2.
a. : the act of weighing down (as a person, his mind or spirits)
the continued oppression of the heat
b. : the condition of being weighed down (as by misfortune)
3. : an act of pressing down : pressure , weight
4. : a sense of heaviness or obstruction in the body or mind : depression , dullness , lassitude
an oppression of spirits
an oppression of the lungs