op*press"ive*ly

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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Oppressive \Op*press"ive\, a. [Cf. F. oppressif.]

1.Unreasonably burdensome; unjustly severe, rigorous, or harsh; as, oppressive taxes; oppressive exactions of service; an oppressive game law. --Macaulay. [1913 Webster]

2.Using oppression; tyrannical; as, oppressive authority or commands. [1913 Webster]

3.Heavy; overpowering; hard to be borne; creating a sense of heavy burden; as, oppressive grief or woe; oppressive heat or humidity; an oppressive workload. [1913 Webster +PJC]

To ease the soul of one oppressive weight. --Pope. [1913 Webster] -- Op*press"ive*ly, adv. -- Op*press"ive*ness, n. [1913 Webster]
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