All 4 Uses of
oppress
in
King Lear
- I begin to find an idle and fond bondage in the oppression of aged tyranny; who sways, not as it hath power, but as it is suffered.†
Scene 1.2
- —Tell the hot duke that— No, but not yet: may be he is not well: Infirmity doth still neglect all office Whereto our health is bound: we are not ourselves When nature, being oppress'd, commands the mind To suffer with the body: I'll forbear; And am fallen out with my more headier will, To take the indispos'd and sickly fit For the sound man.†
Scene 2.4
- Oppressed nature sleeps:— This rest might yet have balm'd thy broken sinews, Which, if convenience will not allow, Stand in hard cure.†
Scene 3.6
- For thee, oppressed king, am I cast down; Myself could else out-frown false fortune's frown.†
Scene 5.2 *
Definition:
-
(oppress as in: oppressive government) to dominate harshly and unfairly; or to make sufferThe meaning of oppress depends upon its context. For example:
- "The authorities oppress political activists," or "The new nation oppressed Native Americans." -- to dominate harshly and unfairly
- "She is oppressed by excessive debt." - made to suffer