dampenv.
/ˈdamp(ə)n/, U.S. /ˈdæmpən/ (Now chiefly U.S.)
1. transitive. To dull, deaden, diminish the force or ardour of, depress, deject; = damp v. 1, 3.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > suffering > dejection > make dejected [verb (transitive)]
drearya1300
discomfortc1325
batec1380
to cast downa1382
to throw downa1382
dullc1386
faintc1386
discomfita1425
discourage1436
sinkc1440
mischeera1450
discheerc1454
amatea1500
bedowa1522
damp1548
quail1548
dash1550
exanimate1552
afflict1561
dank1565
disanimate1565
sadden1565
languish1566
deject1581
dumpc1585
unheart1593
mope1596
chill1597
sour1600
disgallant1601
disheart1603
dishearten1606
fainten1620
depress1624
sullen1628
tristitiate1628
disliven1631
dampen1633
weigh1640
out-spirit1643
dispirit1647
flat1649
funeralize1654
hearta1658
disencourage1659
attrist1680
flatten1683
dismalizec1735
blue-devil1812
out-heart1845
downweigh1851
to get down1861
frigidize1868
languor1891
downcast1914
neg1987
1633 P. Fletcher Purple Island vii. xxxiii. 93 Himself dampens the smiling day.
1637 T. Jackson 2nd Serm. 2 Chron. 38 in Diverse Serm. By which the fervency of better spirits devotion is so much dampned.
1813 W. Irving Life & Lett. (1864) I. xviii. 296 The miserable accounts from the frontier dampened in some measure the public zeal.
1824 W. S. Landor Imaginary Conversat. I. vii. 86 [Elizabeth I] His genius hath been dampened by his adversities.
1885 Cent. Mag. July 427/1 This adversity seemed to dampen the ardor of the crew.
2. Magnetism. = damp v. 1d.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in specific manner > alternating or reciprocating motion > oscillation > oscillate [verb (transitive)] > impose or act as resisting influence
damp1840
dampen1879
the world > movement > motion in specific manner > alternating or reciprocating motion > oscillation > vibration > vibrate [verb (transitive)] > impose or act as resisting influence
absorb1791
damp1840
dampen1879
1879 G. B. Prescott Speaking Telephone (new ed.) 36 The object in using the rubber is to dampen the movement of the disk.
3. To make damp, moisten; = damp v. 5.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > liquid > condition of being or making wet > condition of being slightly wet > make slightly wet [verb (transitive)]
aliec1330
humidatec1540
bemoist1567
bemoisten1590
rigate1657
damp1671
deg1673
moistify1786
dampen1827
baste1897
1827 J. F. Cooper Red Rover I. xv. 246 It is seldom that..he is dampened with salt water.
1885 G. H. Boughton Sketch Rambles Holland v. 77 The high tide must somewhat dampen the poor departed [in a churchyard].
1902 C. C. Munn Rockhaven i. 9 We took a handful o' matches, an' dampenin' 'em, rubbed the ends round the eyes..o' the critter.
1906 H. D. Pittman Belle of Bluegrass Country xxi. 302 The heavy dews..fell upon her, dampening her hair.
4. intransitive. To become dull or damp.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > liquid > condition of being or making wet > condition of being slightly wet > be or become slightly wet [verb (intransitive)] > become slightly wet
undryc1440
dank1590
dew1658
dampen1686
moisten1755
bemoisten1821
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > degree, kind, or quality of sound > non-resonance > become non-resonant [verb (intransitive)]
dampen1857
1686 J. Goad Astro-meteorologica ii. xi. 305 Fog, close, dampning, windy.
1857 J. R. Lowell Captive in Poems Yet he came not, and the stillness Dampened round her like a tomb.
Derivatives
ˈdampening n. and adj.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > liquid > condition of being or making wet > condition of being slightly wet > [adjective] > slightly wetting
danking?a1400
undrying?1541
damping1607
humecting1612
unparching1648
dampening1814
the mind > mental capacity > expectation > despair, hopelessness > pessimism > [noun] > depressing effect
dampening1814
1814 Ld. Byron Lara i. xxviii. 600 And o'er his brow the dampening heart-drops threw The sickening iciness of that cold dew.
1836 New Monthly Mag. 46 204 The gallantry and beauty of Tuscany sped through the dampening air.
1864 J. R. Lowell Lincoln in Wks. (1890) V. 178 To withstand the inevitable dampening of checks, reverses, delays.
ˈdampener n. U.S. a contrivance for damping linen, etc.; also figurative.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > liquid > condition of being or making wet > condition of being slightly wet > [noun] > one who or that which
moistener1611
humectator1665
damper1845
dampener1887
the mind > emotion > suffering > dejection > [noun] > depressing quality > depressing thing, person, or circumstances
cloudc1430
palla1450
melancholya1475
downdraughta1681
Job's comforter1738
damper1748
killjoy1776
wet blanket1810
down-drag1814
chill1821
dismals1829
shadow1855
down1856
a skeleton at the feast (or banquet)1857
wet blanket1857
depressor1868
dampener1887
sorry-go-round1898
wet smack1927
bringdown1935
droopy drawers1939
big chill1943
party pooper1947
misery1951
party poop1951
grinch1966
downer1969
1887 Sci. Amer. 26 Mar. 202/2 A seam dampener has been patented..for use in laundries, etc.
1920 Glasgow Herald 5 Nov. 11 Socialism has received a decided dampener.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1894; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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