- Damp
- Damp 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, with damps and dreadful gloom. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
2. Dejection; depression; cloud of the mind. [1913 Webster]
Even now, while thus I stand blest in thy presence, A secret damp of grief comes o'er my soul. --Addison. [1913 Webster]
It must have thrown a damp over your autumn excursion. --J. D. Forbes. [1913 Webster]
3. (Mining) A gaseous product, formed in coal mines, old wells, pints, etc. [1913 Webster]
{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. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.