DAMPING
Verb
damping
present participle of damp
Noun
damping (plural dampings)
(mechanics) The reduction in the magnitude of oscillations by the dissipation of energy
(mechanics) The stabilization of a physical system by reducing oscillation
Source: Wiktionary
DAMP
Damp, n. Etym: [Akin to LG., D., & Dan. damp vapor, steam, fog, G.
dampf, Icel. dampi, Sw. damb dust, and to MNG. dimpfen to smoke, imp.
dampf.]
1. Moisture; humidity; fog; fogginess; vapor.
Night . . . with black air Accompanied, with damps and dreadful
gloom. Milton.
2. Dejection; depression; cloud of the mind.
Even now, while thus I stand blest in thy presence, A secret damp of
grief comes o'er my soul. Addison.
It must have thrown a damp over your autumn excursion. J. D. Forbes.
3. (Mining)
Definition: A gaseous prodact, formed in coal mines, old wells, pints, etc.
Choke damp, a damp consisting principally of carboniCarbonic acid,
under Carbonic.
– Damp sheet, a curtain in a mine gallery to direct air currents
and prevent accumulation of gas.
– Fire damp, a damp consisting chiefly of light carbureted
hydrogen; -- so called from its tendence to explode when mixed with
atmospheric air and brought into contact with flame.
Damp, a. [Compar. Damper; superl. Dampest.]
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. [R.]
All these and more came flocking, but with looks Downcast and damp.
Milton.
Damp, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Damped; p. pr. & vb. n. Damping.] Etym:
[OE. dampen to choke, suffocate. See Damp, n.]
1. To render damp; to moisten; to make humid, or moderately wet; to
dampen; as, to damp cloth.
2. To put out, as fire; to depress or deject; to deaden; to cloud; to
check or restrain, as action or vigor; to make dull; to weaken; to
discourage. "To damp your tender hopes." Akenside.
Usury dulls and damps all industries, improvements, and new
inventions, wherein money would be stirring if it were not for this
slug. Bacon.
How many a day has been damped and darkened by an angry word! Sir J.
Lubbock.
The failure of his enterprise damped the spirit of the soldiers.
Macaulay.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition