The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Press \Press\, n. [F. presse. See 4th Press.]
1. An apparatus or machine by which any substance or body is
pressed, squeezed, stamped, or shaped, or by which an
impression of a body is taken; sometimes, the place or
building containing a press or presses.
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Note: Presses are differently constructed for various
purposes in the arts, their specific uses being
commonly designated; as, a cotton press, a wine press,
a cider press, a copying press, etc. See Drill press.
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2. Specifically, a printing press.
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3. The art or business of printing and publishing; hence,
printed publications, taken collectively, more especially
newspapers or the persons employed in writing for them;
as, a free press is a blessing, a licentious press is a
curse.
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4. An upright case or closet for the safe keeping of
articles; as, a clothes press. --Shak.
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5. The act of pressing or thronging forward.
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In their throng and press to that last hold. --Shak.
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6. Urgent demands of business or affairs; urgency; as, a
press of engagements.
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7. A multitude of individuals crowded together; ? crowd of
single things; a throng.
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They could not come nigh unto him for the press.
--Mark ii. 4.
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Cylinder press, a printing press in which the impression is
produced by a revolving cylinder under which the form
passes; also, one in which the form of type or plates is
curved around a cylinder, instead of resting on a flat
bed.
Hydrostatic press. See under Hydrostatic.
Liberty of the press, the free right of publishing books,
pamphlets, or papers, without previous restraint or
censorship, subject only to punishment for libelous,
seditious, or morally pernicious matters.
Press bed, a bed that may be folded, and inclosed, in a
press or closet. --Boswell.
Press of sail, (Naut.), as much sail as the state of the
wind will permit.
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