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Webster 1913 Edition
Oppression
Op-pres′sion
,Noun.
[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 gentle Sleep
First found me, and with soft
My drowsed sense.
First found me, and with soft
oppression
seizedMy drowsed sense.
Milton.
4.
Ravishment; rape.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.
Webster 1828 Edition
Oppression
OPPRES'SION
, n.1.
The act of oppressing; the imposition of unreasonable burdens, either in taxes or services; cruelty; severity.2.
The state of being oppressed or overburdened; misery.the Lord - saw the oppression of Israel. 2Kings. 8.
3.
Hardship; calamity.4.
Depression; dullness of spirits; lassitude of body.5.
A sense of heaviness or weight in the breast, &c.