Dăm1, n.
[O. Eng. dame, mistress, lady; also, mother. See DAME.]
- A female parent; — used of beasts, especially of quadrupeds.
- A human mother; — in contempt.
- A crowned man in the game of draughts.
3 entries under this word
Dam
Dăm2, n.
[O. L. Ger., D., & Dan. dam, Ger. & Sw. damm, Icel. dammr, L. Lat. damma.] A mole, bank, or mound of earth, or any wall, or a frame of wood, designed to obstruct the flow of water.
Dăm3, v. t.
[imp. & p. p. DAMMED; p. pr. & vb. n. DAMMING.] [A-S. demman, D. dammen, Ger. dämmen, Sw. dämma, Dan. dämme, Goth. dammjan. See supra.]
Sense 1. To obstruct or restrain the flow of, by a dam; to confine by constructing a dam, as a stream of water; — often used with in or up.
Sense 2. To shut up; to restrain.
The strait pass was dammed With dead men hurt behind, and cowards. Shak.
To dam out, to keep out by means of a dam.