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press

   Also found in: Legal, Acronyms, Idioms, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia, Hutchinson 0.01 sec.
press 1  (prs)
v. pressed, press·ing, press·es
v.tr.
1. To exert steady weight or force against; bear down on.
2.
a. To squeeze the juice or other contents from.
b. To extract (juice, for example) by squeezing or compressing.
3.
a. To reshape or make compact by applying steady force; compress.
b. To iron (clothing, for example).
4. To clasp in fondness or politeness.
5. To try to influence, as by insistent arguments; importune or entreat: He pressed her for a reply.
6. To urge or force to action; impel.
7. To place in trying or distressing circumstances; harass or oppress.
8. To move (keys on a computer keyboard, for example) by applying pressure.
9. To lay stress on; emphasize.
10. To advance or carry on vigorously: "Far from backing down, he pressed the attack" Justin Kaplan.
11. To put forward importunately or insistently: press an argument.
12. To make (a phonograph record or videodisc) from a mold or matrix.
13. Sports To lift (a weight) to a position above the head without moving the legs.
v.intr.
1. To exert force or pressure.
2. To weigh heavily, as on the mind.
3. To advance eagerly; push forward.
4. To require haste; be urgent.
5. To iron clothes or other material.
6. To assemble closely and in large numbers; crowd.
7. To employ urgent persuasion or entreaty.
8. Sports To raise or lift a weight in a press.
9. Basketball To employ a press.
n.
1. Any of various machines or devices that apply pressure.
2. Any of various machines used for printing; a printing press.
3. A place or establishment where matter is printed.
4. The art, method, or business of printing.
5.
a. The collecting and publishing or broadcasting of news; journalism in general.
b. The entirety of media and agencies that collect, publish, transmit, or broadcast the news.
c. The people involved in the media, as news reporters, photographers, publishers, and broadcasters.
d. Commentary or coverage especially in print media: "Like the pool hall and the tattoo parlor, the motorcycle usually gets a bad press" R.Z. Sheppard.
6. The act of gathering in large numbers or of pushing forward.
7. A large gathering; a throng. See Synonyms at crowd1.
8.
a. The act of applying pressure.
b. The state of being pressed.
9. The haste or urgency of business or matters.
10. The set of proper creases in a garment or fabric, formed by ironing.
11. Chiefly Northeastern U.S. An upright closet or case used for storing clothing, books, or other articles.
12. A viselike device for keeping a racket from warping.
13. Sports A lift in weightlifting in which the weight is raised to shoulder level and then steadily pushed straight overhead without movement of the legs.
14. Basketball An aggressive defense tactic in which players guard opponents closely, often over the entire court.
Idioms:
go to press
To be submitted for printing.
in press
Submitted for printing; in the process of being printed.
pressed for time
In a hurry; under time pressure.
press the flesh Informal
To shake hands and mingle with many people, especially while campaigning for public office.

[Middle English pressen, from Old French presser, from Latin pressre, frequentative of premere, to press; see per-4 in Indo-European roots.]

press 1
Verb
1. to apply weight or force to: he pressed the button on the camera
2. to squeeze: she pressed his hand
3. to compress to alter in shape
4. to smooth out creases by applying pressure or heat
5. to make (objects) from soft material by pressing with a mould
6. to crush to force out (juice)
7. to urge (someone) insistently: they pressed for an answer
8. to force or compel: I was pressed into playing rugby at school
9. to plead or put forward strongly: they intend to press their claim for damages in the courts
10. to be urgent: time presses
11. (sometimes foll. by on, forward)to continue in a determined way: they pressed on with their journey
12. to crowd; push: shoppers press along the pavements
13. pressed for short of: pressed for time
Noun
1. any machine that exerts pressure to form or cut materials or to extract liquids or compress solids
3. the art or process of printing
4. go to press to go to be printed: when is this book going to press?
5. the press
a. news media collectively, esp. newspapers
b. journalists collectively
6. the opinions and reviews in the newspapers: the government is not receiving a good press at the moment
7. the act of pressing or state of being pressed: at the press of a button
8. a crowd: a press of people at the exit
9. a cupboard for storing clothes or linen [Old French presser]

press 2
Verb
1. to recruit (men) forcibly for military service
2. to use for a purpose other than intended: press into service [from prest to recruit soldiers]

Press a crush of people, 1400; the newspapers; journalists collectively; as much sail as the wind will allow on a ship; urgency; a large cupboard, closet, or container.
Examples: press of books, 1709; of canvas; of colthes, 1440; of engagements; of people, 1400; a great press was at the procession, 1400; of sail, 1860; of suspects.
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Noun1.press - the state of demanding notice or attention; "the insistence of their hunger"; "the press of business matters"
urgency - the state of being urgent; an earnest and insistent necessity
2.press - the print media responsible for gathering and publishing news in the form of newspapers or magazines
free press - a press not restricted or controlled by government censorship regarding politics or ideology
print media - a medium that disseminates printed matter
newspaper, paper - a daily or weekly publication on folded sheets; contains news and articles and advertisements; "he read his newspaper at breakfast"
mag, magazine - a periodic publication containing pictures and stories and articles of interest to those who purchase it or subscribe to it; "it takes several years before a magazine starts to break even or make money"
press corps - a group of journalists representing different publications who all cover the same topics; "the White House press corps"
3.presspress - a machine used for printing
bed - the flat surface of a printing press on which the type form is laid in the last stage of producing a newspaper or magazine or book etc.
cylinder press, flatbed press - a printing press where the type is carried on a flat bed under a cylinder that holds paper and rolls over the type
machine - any mechanical or electrical device that transmits or modifies energy to perform or assist in the performance of human tasks
rotary press - a printing press for printing from a revolving cylinder
standing press - a large printing press that exerts pressure vertically
4.press - a dense crowd of people
crowd - a large number of things or people considered together; "a crowd of insects assembled around the flowers"
snarl-up, traffic jam - a number of vehicles blocking one another until they can scarcely move
5.presspress - a tall piece of furniture that provides storage space for clothes; has a door and rails or hooks for hanging clothes
armoire - a large wardrobe or cabinet; originally used for storing weapons
clothes closet, clothespress - a closet where clothes are stored
coat closet - a closet for storing outerwear
article of furniture, furniture, piece of furniture - furnishings that make a room or other area ready for occupancy; "they had too much furniture for the small apartment"; "there was only one piece of furniture in the room"
6.press - clamp to prevent wooden rackets from warping when not in use
clamp, clinch - a device (generally used by carpenters) that holds things firmly together
7.presspress - any machine that exerts pressure to form or shape or cut materials or extract liquids or compress solids
cheese press - a press for shaping cheese curd
ciderpress - a press that is used to extract the juice from apples
garlic press - a press for extracting juice from garlic
hydraulic press - press in which a force applied by a piston to a small area is transmitted through water to another piston having a large area
machine - any mechanical or electrical device that transmits or modifies energy to perform or assist in the performance of human tasks
punch press - a power driven press used to shape metal parts
winepress - a press that is used to extract the juice from grapes
8.presspress - a weightlift in which the barbell is lifted to shoulder height and then smoothly lifted overhead
weightlift, weightlifting - bodybuilding by exercise that involves lifting weights
9.presspress - the act of pressing; the exertion of pressure; "he gave the button a press"; "he used pressure to stop the bleeding"; "at the pressing of a button"
push, pushing - the act of applying force in order to move something away; "he gave the door a hard push"; "the pushing is good exercise"
impression - the act of pressing one thing on or into the surface of another; "he watched the impression of the seal on the hot wax"
compressing, compression - applying pressure
Verb1.press - exert pressure or force to or upon; "He pressed down on the boards"; "press your thumb on this spot"
touch - make physical contact with, come in contact with; "Touch the stone for good luck"; "She never touched her husband"
squeeze - press firmly; "He squeezed my hand"
mash, squash, squeeze, crush, squelch - to compress with violence, out of natural shape or condition; "crush an aluminum can"; "squeeze a lemon"
cranch, craunch, grind, crunch - press or grind with a crushing noise
bear down, drag down, press down on, weigh down, bear down on - exert a force with a heavy weight; "The snow bore down on the roof"
knuckle - press or rub with the knuckles
push - press against forcefully without moving; "she pushed against the wall with all her strength"
2.presspress - force or impel in an indicated direction; "I urged him to finish his studies"
hurry, rush - urge to an unnatural speed; "Don't rush me, please!"
push, bear on - press, drive, or impel (someone) to action or completion of an action; "He pushed her to finish her doctorate"
advocate, preach - speak, plead, or argue in favor of; "The doctor advocated a smoking ban in the entire house"
advise, counsel, rede - give advice to; "The teacher counsels troubled students"; "The lawyer counselled me when I was accused of tax fraud"
3.presspress - to be oppressive or burdensome; "weigh heavily on the mind", "Something pressed on his mind"
matter, count, weigh - have weight; have import, carry weight; "It does not matter much"
4.press - place between two surfaces and apply weight or pressure; "pressed flowers"
flatten out, flatten - become flat or flatter; "The landscape flattened"
iron, iron out, press - press and smooth with a heated iron; "press your shirts"; "she stood there ironing"
calender - press between rollers or plates so as to smooth, glaze, or thin into sheets; "calender paper"
5.press - squeeze or press together; "she compressed her lips"; "the spasm contracted the muscle"
choke, strangle - constrict (someone's) throat and keep from breathing
prim - contract one's lips; "She primmed her lips after every bite of food"
tighten - become tight or tighter; "The rope tightened"
astringe - constrict or bind or draw together; "Lemon juice astringes the tissue in the mouth"
strangulate - constrict a hollow organ or vessel so as to stop the flow of blood or air
convulse - contract involuntarily, as in a spasm; "The muscles in her face convulsed"
convulse - cause to contract; "The spasm convulses her facial muscles"
bear down, overbear - contract the abdominal muscles during childbirth to ease delivery
choke, gag, fret - be too tight; rub or press; "This neckband is choking the cat"
scrag, choke - wring the neck of; "The man choked his opponent"
6.press - crowd closely; "The crowds pressed along the street"
mass - join together into a mass or collect or form a mass; "Crowds were massing outside the palace"
7.press - create by pressing; "Press little holes into the soft clay"
create, make - make or cause to be or to become; "make a mess in one's office"; "create a furor"
8.press - be urgent; "This is a pressing problem"
be - have the quality of being; (copula, used with an adjective or a predicate noun); "John is rich"; "This is not a good answer"
9.presspress - exert oneself continuously, vigorously, or obtrusively to gain an end or engage in a crusade for a certain cause or person; be an advocate for; "The liberal party pushed for reforms"; "She is crusading for women's rights"; "The Dean is pushing for his favorite candidate"
advertize, advertise, promote, push - make publicity for; try to sell (a product); "The salesman is aggressively pushing the new computer model"; "The company is heavily advertizing their new laptops"
advertize, advertise, promote, push - make publicity for; try to sell (a product); "The salesman is aggressively pushing the new computer model"; "The company is heavily advertizing their new laptops"
10.press - press from a plastic; "press a record"
mould, mold, cast - form by pouring (e.g., wax or hot metal) into a cast or mold; "cast a bronze sculpture"
11.press - make strenuous pushing movements during birth to expel the baby; "`Now push hard,' said the doctor to the woman"
push, force - move with force, "He pushed the table into a corner"
12.press - press and smooth with a heated iron; "press your shirts"; "she stood there ironing"
mangle - press with a mangle; "mangle the sheets"
press - place between two surfaces and apply weight or pressure; "pressed flowers"
13.presspress - lift weights; "This guy can press 300 pounds"
exercise, work out - do physical exercise; "She works out in the gym every day"
14.press - ask for or request earnestly; "The prophet bid all people to become good persons"
plead - appeal or request earnestly; "I pleaded with him to stop"

press
verb 1. push (down), depress, lean on, bear down, press down, force down
verb 3. hug, squeeze, embrace, clasp, crush, encircle, enfold, hold close, fold in your arms
verb 5. plead, present, lodge, submit, tender, advance insistently
verb 6. steam, finish, iron, smooth, flatten, put the creases in
verb 8. crowd, push, gather, rush, surge, mill, hurry, cluster, flock, herd, swarm, hasten, seethe, throng >> the press 9. newspapers, the papers, journalism, news media, Fleet Street, fourth estate
10. journalists, correspondents, reporters, photographers, columnists, pressmen, newsmen, journos (slang) gentlemen of the press
Translations
Spanish press [prɛs] n (tool, machine, newspapers) → prensa;
(printer's) → imprenta; [of hand] → apretón m
vt (= push) → empujar (= squeeze); apretar [+ grapes]; pisar [+ clothes] (= iron); planchar (= pressure); presionar [+ doorbell]; apretar, pulsar, tocar (= insist): to press sth on sb → insistir en que algn acepte algo
vi (= squeeze) → apretar (= pressurize); ejercer presión;
to go to press [newspaper] → entrar en prensa;
to be in the press (= being printed) → estar en prensa (= in the newspapers); aparecer en la prensa;
we are pressed for time → tenemos poco tiempo;
to press sb to do or into doing sth (= urge, entreat) → presionar a algn para que haga algo;
to press sb for an answer → insistir a algn para que conteste;
to press charges against sb (LAW) → demandar a algn
press ahead viseguir adelante
press on viavanzar (= hurry); apretar el paso

French press [prɛs] n (= tool, machine), (= newspapers); presse f;
(for wine) → pressoir m (= crowd); cohue f, foule f
vt (= push) → appuyer sur (= squeeze); presser, serrer [+ clothes] (= iron); repasser (= pursue); talonner (= insist);
to press sth on sb → presser qn d'accepter qch (= urge, entreat);
to press sb to do or into doing sth → pousser qn à faire qch viappuyer, peser; se presser;
we are pressed for time → le temps nous manque;
to press for sth → faire pression pour obtenir qch;
to press sb for an answer → presser qn de répondre;
to press charges against sb (Law) → engager des poursuites contre qn;
to go to press [newspaper] → aller à l'impression;
to be in the press (= being printed) → être sous presse (= in the newspapers); être dans le journal
press ahead vi = press on
press on vicontinuer

German press [prɛs] n (also: printing press) → Presse f [of switch, bell] → Druck m;
(for wine) → Kelter f
vtdrücken, pressen [+ button, sb's hand etc]; drücken (= iron) [+ clothes] → bügeln (= put pressure on) [+ person] → drängen (= pursue) [+ idea, claim] → vertreten
vi (= squeeze) → drücken, pressen;
the Press (= newspapers, journalists) → die Presse;
to go to press [newspaper] → in Druck gehen;
to be in press (= at the printer's) → im Druck sein;
to be in the press (= in the newspapers) → in der Zeitung stehen;
at the press of a button → auf Knopfdruck;
to press sth (up)on sb (= force) → jdm etw aufdrängen;
we are pressed for time/money → wir sind in Geldnot/Zeitnot;
to press sb for an answer → auf jds acc Antwort drängen;
to press sb to do or into doing sth → jdn drängen, etw zu tun;
to press charges (against sb) (Law) → Klage (gegen jdn) erheben;
to press for (changes etc) → drängen auf +acc
press ahead press viweitermachen;
to press ahead with sth → etw durchziehen
press on press viweitermachen

Italian press [prɛs] n (tool, machine) → pressa;
(for wine) → torchio (= newspapers); stampa (= crowd); folla
vt (= push) → premere, pigiare [+ doorbell]; suonare (= squeeze); spremere: [+ hand]; stringere [+ clothes] (= iron); stirare (= pursue); incalzare (= insist): to press sth on sb → far accettare qc da qn (= urge, entreat): to press sb to do or into doing sth → fare pressione su qn affinché faccia qc
to go to press [newspaper] → andare in macchina;
to be in the press (= in the newspapers) → essere sui giornali;
we are pressed for time → ci manca il tempo;
to press for sth → insistere per avere qc;
to press sb for an answer → insistere perché qn risponda;
to press charges against sb (LAW) → sporgere una denuncia contro qn
press ahead vi to press ahead (with) → andare avanti (con)
press on vicontinuare

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Why, for instance, should it be said that the liberty of the press shall not be restrained, when no power is given by which restrictions may be imposed?
Were you a member of the Women's Press Association?
Schools may be erected, East, West, North, and South; pupils be taught, and masters reared, by scores upon scores of thousands; colleges may thrive, churches may be crammed, temperance may be diffused, and advancing knowledge in all other forms walk through the land with giant strides: but while the newspaper press of America is in, or near, its present abject state, high moral improvement in that country is hopeless.
 
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