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Medical Dictionary

depression

Pronunciation (dĕ-presh′ŭn)
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  1. Reduction of the level of functioning. Syn: excavation (1)
  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. Syn: dejection (1) , depressive reaction, depressive syndrome

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

WebMD Medical Reference from "Stedman's Medical Dictionary"

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