early 14c., "put down by force," from Old French depresser, from Late Latin depressare, frequentative of Latin deprimere "press down," from de- "down" (see de-) + premere "to press" (see press (v.1)).
Meaning "push down physically" is from early 15c.; that of "deject, make gloomy" is from 1620s; economic sense of "lower in value" is from 1878. Related: Depressed; depressing.
depress de·press (dĭ-prěs')
v.
To lower in spirits; deject.
To cause to drop or sink; lower.
To press down.
To lessen the activity or force of something.