depression

Pronunciation: dĕ-presh′ŭn

Definition:

1. Reduction of the level of functioning.
2. Displacement of a part downward or inward.
3. A mental state or chronic mental disorder characterized by feelings of sadness, loneliness, despair, low self-esteem, and self-reproach; accompanying signs include psychomotor retardation (or less frequently agitation), withdrawal from social contact, and vegetative states such as loss of appetite and insomnia.

Synonym(s): excavation1

Synonym(s): dejection1, depressive reaction, depressive syndrome

[L. depressio, fr. deprimo, to press down]

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