Webster's English Dictionary

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repress

re.press \ri-'pres\ \-'pres-iv\ \-'pres-*r\ vb [ME repressen, fr. L 
   repressus, pp. of reprimere to check, fr]. re- + premere to press - more at 
   PRESS 1: to check by or as if by pressure : CURB  2: to hold in by 
   self-control  3: to put down by force : SUBDUE  4: to prevent the natural 
   or normal expression, activity, or development o f 5: to exclude from 
   consciousness  : to take repressive action  - re.pres.sive aj