Depression \De*pres"sion\, n. [L. depressio: cf. F.
  
         d['e]pression.]
   1. The act of depressing.
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         Webster]

   2. The state of being depressed; a sinking.

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   3. A falling in of the surface; a
         sinking below its true
      place; a cavity or hollow; as,
         roughness consists in
      little protuberances and
         depressions.
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   4. Humiliation;
         abasement, as of pride.
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   5.
         Dejection; despondency; lowness.
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            In a great depression of spirit.      --Baker.
     
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   6. Diminution, as of trade, etc.;
         inactivity; dullness.
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   7.
         (Astron.) The angular distance of a celestial object below

              the horizon.
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   8. (Math.) The
         operation of reducing to a lower degree; --
      said of
         equations.
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   9. (Surg.) A method
         of operating for cataract; couching. See
      Couch, v. t., 8.
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         Webster]

   Angle of depression (Geod.), one which a
         descending line
      makes with a horizontal plane.

  
         Depression of the dewpoint (Meteor.), the
         number of
         degrees
      that the dew-point is lower than the actual
         temperature of
      the atmosphere.

   {Depression of
         the pole}, its apparent sinking, as the
      spectator
         goes toward the equator.

   {Depression of the visible
         horizon}. (Astron.) Same as Dip of the horizon,
         under Dip.

   Syn:
         Abasement; reduction; sinking; fall;
         humiliation;
        dejection; melancholy.
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         Webster]