Repress (r-prs), v. t.
Etymology: [Pref. re- + press: cf. L. reprimere, repressum. Cf. Reprimand.]
1. To press back or down effectually; to crush down or out; to quell; to subdue; to supress; as, to repress sedition or rebellion; to repress the first risings of discontent.
2. Hence, to check; to restrain; to keep back. Desire of wine and all delicious drinks, . . . Thou couldst repress. Milton.
Syn. -- To crush; overpower; subdue; suppress; restrain; quell; curb; check.
2 other Webster entries under this spelling
Repress (r-prs), v. t.
To press again.
Repress, n.
The act of repressing. [Obs.]
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for repress; he lists it under restrain.
Where he writes about it:
To repress, literally to press back, is to hold in check, and perhaps only temporarily, that which is still very active; it is a feebler word than restrain; to suppress is finally and effectually to put down; suppress is a much stronger word than restrain; as, to suppress a rebellion. — from restrain