1660s, past participle adjective from repress (v.). Psychological sense by 1904.
late 14c., "to check, restrain," from Latin repressus, past participle of reprimere "hold back, curb," figuratively "check, confine, restrain, refrain," from re- "back" (see re-) + premere "to push" (see press (v.1)).
Used of feelings or desires from late 14c.; in the purely psychological sense, it represents German verdrängen (Freud, 1893), first attested 1904 (implied in repressed). Meaning "to put down" (a rebellion, etc.) is from late 15c. Related: Repressed; repressing.
repress re·press (rĭ-prěs')
v. re·pressed, re·press·ing, re·press·es
To hold back by an act of volition.
To exclude something from the conscious mind.
repressed adj.
Being subjected to or characterized by repression.