Op*press" (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Oppressed (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Oppressing.] [F. oppresser, LL. oppressare, fr.
L. oppressus, p. p. of opprimere; ob (see Ob-
) + premere to press. See Press.]
1. To impose excessive burdens upon; to
overload; hence, to treat with unjust rigor or with cruelty.
Wyclif.
For thee, oppressèd king, am I cast
down.
Shak.
Behold the kings of the earth; how they
oppress
Thy chosen !
Milton.
2. To ravish; to violate. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
3. To put down; to crush out; to
suppress. [Obs.]
The mutiny he there hastes to
oppress.
Shak.
4. To produce a sensation of weight in (some
part of the body); as, my lungs are oppressed by the damp air;
excess of food oppresses the stomach.