damp

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. somewhat moist or wet; humid

2. dejected; depressed

vt.

1. to make damp; moisten

2. to slow the combustion of (a fire) by cutting off most of the air supply; bank: usually with down

3. to check or reduce (energy or action)

4. to check or deaden the vibration of (a piano string, drum membrane, etc.)

5. to reduce the amplitude of (oscillations, waves, etc.)

SYN.- WET

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damp off

to wither and die because of mildew, as seedlings, plant shoots, etc.

dampish

adj.

damply

adv.

dampness

n.