mid-14c., from Old French opresser "oppress, afflict; torment, smother" (13c.), from Medieval Latin oppressare, frequentative of Latin opprimere "press against, press together, press down;" figuratively "crush, put down, subdue, prosecute relentlessly" (in Late Latin "to rape"), from ob "against" (see ob-) + premere "to press, push" (see press (v.1)).
It is the due [external] restraint and not the moderation of rulers that constitutes a state of liberty; as the power to oppress, though never exercised, does a state of slavery. [St. George Tucker, "View of the Constitution of the United States," 1803]
Related: Oppressed; oppressing.
双语例句
1. He states uncompromisingly that he is opposed to any practices which oppress animals.
他坚决声明反对任何虐待动物的行为。
来自柯林斯例句
2. The imperialists exploit and oppress all the peoples of the world.
帝国主义者剥削和压迫全世界人民.
来自辞典例句
3. A good ruler will not oppress the poor.
好的统治者不会压迫贫民.
来自辞典例句
4. This is a dream in which things are all loose and they oppress.
在梦中,一切事都散漫着,都压着我,但这不过是一个梦呀.
来自辞典例句
5. They crush your people, O LORD; they oppress your inheritance.
