repress

repress

(rĭ-prĕs′)

v. re·pressed, re·pressing, re·presses

v.tr.

1. Psychology To exclude (painful or disturbing memories, for example) automatically or unconsciously from the conscious mind.

2. Biology

a. To prevent (the transcription of a gene or the synthesis of a protein) by the combination of a protein with an operator gene.

b. To prevent or limit the synthesis of (a protein).

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re·press′i·bil′i·ty n.

re·press′i·ble adj.

The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2007, 2004 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.