depressive

UK: dɪˈprɛsɪv | US: dɪˈprɛsɪv

Definition
  1. adj. causing feelings of severe despondency or hopelessness

  2. adj. relating to or suffering from depression (psychological or economic)

  3. n. a person affected by or prone to depression

Structure
depress <press down>ive <adjective suffix>
Etymology

The word "depressive" originates from the Latin deprimere (de- "down" + premere "to press"), reflecting the literal sense of "pressing down." Over time, it evolved metaphorically to describe emotional or psychological "lowering," particularly in the context of mood disorders. The suffix -ive (from Latin -ivus) transforms the verb "depress" into an adjective, emphasizing a tendency or capacity to induce depression. The term gained medical and psychological prominence in the 19th century.

Examples
  1. The rainy weather had a depressive effect on her mood.

  2. He was diagnosed with a depressive disorder last year.

  3. Economic downturns often lead to depressive trends in consumer spending.

  4. The film’s dark themes left the audience feeling unusually depressive.

  5. She wrote poetry to cope with her depressive episodes.