damp / damp/ • adj. slightly wet: hair still damp from the shower.• n. 1. moisture diffused through the air or a solid substance or condensed on a surface, typically with detrimental or unpleasant effects. ∎  foul, stifling, or poisonous gas, esp. in a mine. ∎  (damps) archaic damp air or atmosphere.2. archaic a check or discouragement.• v. [tr.] 1. make (something) slightly wet: damp a small area with water.2. control or restrain (a feeling or a state of affairs): she tried to damp down her feelings of despair. ∎  make (a fire) burn less strongly by reducing the flow of air to it.3. restrict the amplitude of vibrations on (a piano or other musical instrument) so as to reduce sound. ∎  Physics progressively reduce the amplitude of (an oscillation or vibration): concrete structures damp out any vibrations. ∎  reduce the level of (a noise or sound).DERIVATIVES: damp·ish adj.damp·ly adv.damp·ness n.

damp vapour, (noxious) gas XIV; fog, mist; humidity; depression, discouragement, †stupor XVI. — (M)LG. damp vapour, steam, smoke = (O)HG. dampf steam; rel. to OHG. dempfen (G. dämpfen) = OS. bithempian; f. Gmc. *þamp- (rel. to *pump-, (O)HG. duft).
Hence damp adj. †dazed XVI; †noxious; slightly wet XVIII. damp vb. XIV. dampen XVII; see -EN 2.

damping A slowing down or prevention of oscillation due to the dissipation of the kinetic energy of oscillation. Friction will dampen a mechanical system, and electromagnetic damping uses eddy currents to oppose motion. See also CRITICAL DAMPING.

damp damp something down control or restrain a feeling or a situation (originally, in literal use, make a fire burn less strongly by reducing the flow of air to it).
damp squib a situation or event which is much less impressive than expected.

damp. To check the vibrations of an instr. (e.g. kettledrum) by touching it in some way. See also piano.