What is "to depress the pole"

Depress \De*press"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Depressed; p. pr. & vb. n. Depressing.] [L. depressus, p. p. of deprimere; de- + premere to press. See Press.]

1. To press down; to cause to sink; to let fall; to lower; as, to depress the muzzle of a gun; to depress the eyes. ``With lips depressed.''
   --Tennyson.

2. To bring down or humble; to abase, as pride.

3. To cast a gloom upon; to sadden; as, his spirits were depressed.

4. To lessen the activity of; to make dull; embarrass, as trade, commerce, etc.

5. To lessen in price; to cause to decline in value; to cheapen; to depreciate.

6. (Math.) To reduce (an equation) in a lower degree.

   To depress the pole (Naut.), to cause the sidereal pole to appear lower or nearer the horizon, as by sailing toward the equator.

   Syn: To sink; lower; abase; cast down; deject; humble; degrade; dispirit; discourage.