depression

/dɪˈpɹɛʃn̩/noun
Middle School
1

A state of mind producing serious, long-term lowering of enjoyment of life or inability to visualize a happy future; any of several mental disorders with this state of mind as a central feature.

2

A period of low morale or unhappiness (a period of experiencing the above-mentioned state of mind) which lasts longer than several weeks and may include ideation of self-inflicted injury or suicide.

3

An area that is lower in topography than its surroundings.

4

An area of lowered air pressure that generally brings moist weather, sometimes promoting hurricanes and tornadoes.

5

A period of major economic contraction.

6

Four consecutive quarters of negative, real GDP growth (for example, this operational definition is used by the US NBER and many other writers).

7

The act of lowering or pressing something down.

8

A lowering, in particular a reduction in a particular biological variable or the function of an organ, in contrast to elevation.

Sound Patterns & Rhymes

Alliteration

Words starting with the same consonant sound — used in poetry and prose to create rhythm, emphasis, and memorable phrasing (e.g. “Peter Piper picked”)

Assonance

Words sharing similar vowel sounds regardless of starting letter — creates internal melody in writing

Consonance

Words sharing similar consonant sound patterns — adds texture and cohesion to writing