Damp (?), 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.
Night . . . with black air
Accompanied, with damps and dreadful gloom.
Milton.
2.
Dejection; depression; cloud of the mind.
Even now, while thus I stand blest in thy presence,
A secret damp of grief comes o'er my soul.
Addison.
It must have thrown a damp over your autumn excursion.
J. D. Forbes.
3. Mining
A gaseous product, formed in coal mines, old wells, pints, etc.
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.
© Webster 1913.
Damp (?), a. [Compar. Damper (?); superl. Dampest.]
1.
Being in a state between dry and wet; moderately wet; moist; humid.
O'erspread with a damp sweat and holy fear.
Dryden.
2.
Dejected; depressed; sunk.
[R.]
All these and more came flocking, but with looks
Downcast and damp.
Milton.
© Webster 1913.
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.
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.
Usury dulls and damps all industries, improvements, and new inventions, wherein money would be stirring if it were not for this slug.
Bacon.
How many a day has been damped and darkened by an angry word!
Sir J. Lubbock.
The failure of his enterprise damped the spirit of the soldiers.
Macaulay.
© Webster 1913.