GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

last match results

Found 3 definitions

1.       
   Damp (dămp), 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.
   
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   Night . . . with black air
   
   Accompanied, with damps and dreadful gloom. Milton.
   
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   2. Dejection; depression; cloud of the mind.
   
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   Even now, while thus I stand blest in thy presence,
   
   A secret damp of grief comes o'er my soul. Addison.
   
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   It must have thrown a damp over your autumn excursion. J. D. Forbes.
   
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   3. (Mining) A gaseous product, formed in coal mines, old wells, pints, etc.
   
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   Choke damp, a damp consisting principally of carbonic acid gas; -- so called from its extinguishing flame and animal life. See Carbonic acid, under Carbonic. -- Damp sheet, a curtain in a mine gallery to direct air currents and prevent accumulation of gas. -- Fire damp, a damp consisting chiefly of light carbureted hydrogen; -- so called from its tendence to explode when mixed with atmospheric air and brought into contact with flame.
   
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2.       
   Damp (dămp), a. [Compar. Damper (?); superl. Dampest.]
   1. Being in a state between dry and wet; moderately wet; moist; humid.
   
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   O'erspread with a damp sweat and holy fear. Dryden.
   
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   2. Dejected; depressed; sunk. [R.]
   
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   All these and more came flocking, but with looks
   
   Downcast and damp. Milton.
   
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3.       
   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”.
   
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   2. To put out, as fire; to depress or deject; to deaden; to cloud; to check or restrain, as action or vigor; to make dull; to weaken; to discourage. “To damp your tender hopes.”  Akenside.
   
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   Usury dulls and damps all industries, improvements, and new inventions, wherein money would be stirring if it were not for this slug. Bacon.
   
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   How many a day has been damped and darkened by an angry word! Sir J. Lubbock.
   
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   The failure of his enterprise damped the spirit of the soldiers. Macaulay.
   
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