Damp | Webster's Dictionary (1865)

Dämp, a.

adjective

[compar. DAMPER; superl. DAMPEST.] [From damp, n., q. v.] 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. [Rare.] All these and more came flocking, but with looks Downcast and damp. Milton.

Dămp, n.

noun

n. [L. Ger., D., & Dan. damp, Sw. damp, Icel. dampi, Ger. dampf; steam, vapor, fog, smoke, from M. H. Ger. dimpfen, to smoke, imp. dampf.] 1. Moisture; humidity; fog. Night, with black air Accompanied, with damps and dreadful gloom. Milton. 2. Dejection; depression; discouragement. Even now, when thus I stand blest in thy presence, A secret damp of grief comes o'er my soul. Addison. 3. (pl.) (Mining.) Gaseous products, that are eliminated in coal-mines, wells, &c. These are the choke-damp, consisting principally of carbonic acid, and so called from its extinguishing flame and life; and fire-damp, consisting chiefly of light carbureted hydrogen, and so called from its tendency to explode when mixed with atmospheric air and brought into contact with flame.

Dămp, v. t.

verbtransitive

v. t. [imp. & p. p. DAMPED (dämpt, 85); p. pr. & vb. n. DAMPING.]

To render damp; to moisten; to make humid, or moderately wet.
To render chilly; to depress or deject; to abate.

I do not mean to wake the gloomy form Of superstition dressed in wisdom’s garb To damp your tender hopes. Akenside.

To make dull; as, to damp sound. Bacon.
To check or restrain, as action or vigor; to weaken; to make languid; to discourage.

Usury dulls and damps all industries, improvements, and new inventions, wherein money would be stirring if it were not for this slug. Bacon.