damp something down Definition

damp
adj

damper, dampest
1. Slightly wet.

Thesaurus: moist, wet, sodden, soggy, sopping, clammy, dank, dripping, dewy; Antonym: dry.

noun

1. Slight wetness, eg in walls or the air, especially if cold and unpleasant.

Thesaurus: wetness, moisture, humidity, fog, drizzle, mist, vapour, dew, clamminess, dankness; Antonym: dryness.
2. mining.
Any gas other than air. See also firedamp.

verb damped, damping

1. To make something slightly wet.
2. music.
To press (the strings, or a string, of an instrument) to stop or lessen vibration.

Derivative: dampish
adj

Derivative: dampishness
noun

Derivative: damply
adverb

Derivative: dampness
noun

Etymology: 16c in modern senses; 15c, meaning ‘harmful vapour': from German Dampf steam.

Phrasal Verb: damp something down

To make (emotions, interest, etc) less strong.To make (a fire) burn more slowly.