damp

damp
adj., n., & v.
—adj. slightly wet; moist.
—n.
1 diffused moisture in the air, on a surface, or in a solid, esp. as a cause of inconvenience or danger.
2 dejection; discouragement.
3 = FIREDAMP.
—v.tr.
1 make damp; moisten.
2 (often foll. by down) a take the force or vigour out of (damp one's enthusiasm). b make flaccid or spiritless. c make (a fire) burn less strongly by reducing the flow of air to it.
3 reduce or stop the vibration of (esp. the strings of a musical instrument).
4 quieten.
Phrases and idioms:
damp (or damp-proof) course a layer of waterproof material in the wall of a building near the ground, to prevent rising damp. damp off (of a plant) die from a fungus attack in damp conditions. damp squib an unsuccessful attempt to impress etc.
Derivatives:
damply adv. dampness n.
Etymology: ME f. MLG, = vapour etc., OHG dampf steam f. WG

Useful english dictionary. 2012.

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  • Damp — (d[a^]mp), n. [Akin to LG., D., & Dan. damp vapor, steam, fog, G. dampf, Icel. dampi, Sw. damb dust, and to MNG. dimpfen to smoke, imp. dampf.] 1. Moisture; humidity; fog; fogginess; vapor. [1913 Webster] Night . . . with black air Accompanied,… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • damp — damp; damp·en; damp·en·er; damp·er; damp·ish; damp·ly; damp·ness; damp·proof·er; damp·proof; damp·ish·ly; …   English syllables

  • Damp — Damp, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Damped}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Damping}.] [OE. dampen to choke, suffocate. See {Damp}, n.] 1. To render damp; to moisten; to make humid, or moderately wet; to dampen; as, to damp cloth. [1913 Webster] 2. To put out, as fire; …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Damp — (d[a^]mp), a. [Compar. {Damper}; superl. {Dampest}.] 1. Being in a state between dry and wet; moderately wet; moist; humid. [1913 Webster] O erspread with a damp sweat and holy fear. Dryden. [1913 Webster] 2. Dejected; depressed; sunk. [R.] [1913 …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • damp — ► ADJECTIVE ▪ slightly wet. ► NOUN ▪ moisture in the air, on a surface, or in a solid. ► VERB 1) make damp. 2) (damp down) control or restrain (a feeling or situation). 3) (damp down …   English terms dictionary

  • damp — [damp] n. [MDu, vapor, steam, akin to OHG, MHG, Ger dampf < IE base * dhem , to smoke, mist > DANK] 1. a slight wetness; moisture 2. a harmful gas sometimes found in mines; firedamp; blackdamp 3. Archaic a dejected or depressed state adj. 1 …   English World dictionary

  • damp´en|er — damp|en «DAM puhn», transitive verb. 1. to make damp; moisten: »Mother sprinkles water over the clothes to dampen them before ironing. SYNONYM(S): wet. 2. Figurative. to cast a chill over; depress; discourage: »The sad news dampened our spirits.… …   Useful english dictionary

  • damp|en — «DAM puhn», transitive verb. 1. to make damp; moisten: »Mother sprinkles water over the clothes to dampen them before ironing. SYNONYM(S): wet. 2. Figurative. to cast a chill over; depress; discourage: »The sad news dampened our spirits. SYNONY …   Useful english dictionary

  • dAMP — ↑ Adenosinphosphat. * * * Dạmp,   Gemeinde im Kreis Rendsburg Eckernförde, Schleswig Holstein, Ostseebad, 1 600 Einwohner; Ferienzentrum Ostseebad Damp mit über 5 000 Betten, Sportmedizin …   Universal-Lexikon

  • damp — (n.) early 14c., a noxious vapor, perhaps in O.E. but there is no record of it. If not, probably from M.L.G. damp; ultimately in either case from P.Gmc. *dampaz (Cf. O.H.G. damph, Ger. Dampf vapor; O.N. dampi dust ). Sense of moisture, humidity… …   Etymology dictionary

  • damp — sb., en, e, ene, i sms. damp , fx dampstrygejern …   Dansk ordbog

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