OPPRESS', verb transitive [Latin appressus, from opprimo; ob and premo, to press.] 1. To load or burden with unreasonable impositions; to treat with unjust severity, rigor or hardship; as, to oppress a nation with taxes or contributions; to oppress one by compelling him to perform unreasonable service. 2. To overpower; to overburden; as, to be oppressed with grief. 3. to sit or lie heavy on; as, excess of good oppresses the stomach.
Source: Webster's 1828 American Dictionary ↗ · public-domain · returned verbatim, no AI