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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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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