damper

American  

[dam-per] / ˈdæm pər /

noun

1. a person or thing that damps or depresses.

   His glum mood put a damper on their party.

2. a movable plate for regulating the draft in a stove, furnace, etc.

3. Music.

   1. a device in stringed keyboard instruments to deaden the vibration of the strings.

   2. the mute of a brass instrument, as a horn.

4. Electricity. an attachment to keep the indicator of a measuring instrument from oscillating excessively, as a set of vanes in a fluid or a short-circuited winding in a magnetic field.

5. Machinery. a shock absorber.

6. Australian.

   1. a round, flat cake made of flour and water, and cooked over a campfire.

   2. the dough for such cakes.

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damper British  

/ ˈdæmpə /

noun

1. a person, event, or circumstance that depresses or discourages

2. to produce a depressing or inhibiting effect on

   the bad news put a damper on the party

3. a movable plate to regulate the draught in a stove or furnace flue

4. a device to reduce electronic, mechanical, acoustic, or aerodynamic oscillations in a system

5. music the pad in a piano or harpsichord that deadens the vibration of each string as its key is released

6. any of various unleavened loaves and scones, typically cooked on an open fire

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damper Idioms  

1. see put a damper on.

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Etymology

Origin of damper

First recorded in 1740–50; damp + -er ¹

Example Sentences

“I do think it could lead to a burst of uncertainty, which could be a damper on activity.”

From MarketWatch

Kenvue has denied the claims, but investors have worried they will put a damper on Tylenol sales.

From The Wall Street Journal

Nothing, not even Freddy and Teddy moaning and groaning as they filed off the bus, could put a damper on today.

From Literature

McAllen Mayor Javier Villalobos said he is concerned about the raids raising home prices and putting a damper on new business investment.

From The Wall Street Journal

That’s put a damper on the optimism heading into this year about a potential dollar rebound.

From MarketWatch