Oppress \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, oppress[`e]d 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.