depression

Where does the word "depression" come from? It comes from Latin deprimere, and was adopted directly into English (1300s).

Depression’s story begins in Latin: deprimere meant “to press down.” To press down, from de- (down) and premere (to press). It reached English by 1300s as depression. Broadened from a physical pressing down to a lowered emotional or economic state. Today, depression means a mental health condition marked by persistent low mood, or a severe economic downturn.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient deprimere "to press down", to press down, from de- (down) and premere (to press).
2. Stage 2 · English · 1300s depression "a state of low mood, or an economic downturn", broadened from a physical pressing down to a lowered emotional or economic state.