Hypertext Webster Gateway: "damper"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Damp \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.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Damper \Damp"er\, n.
That which damps or checks; as:
(a) A valve or movable plate in the flue or other part of a
stove, furnace, etc., used to check or regulate the
draught of air.
(b) A contrivance, as in a pianoforte, to deaden vibrations;
or, as in other pieces of mechanism, to check some action
at a particular time.
Nor did Sabrina's presence seem to act as any
damper at the modest little festivities. --W.
Black.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
damper
n 1: a movable iron plate that regulates the draft in a stove or
chimney or furnace
2: a device that decreases the amplitude of electronic,
mechanical, acoustical, or aerodynamic oscillations
3: a depressing restraint; "rain put a damper on our picnic
plans"
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