damper

[dam-per]

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.

damper

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of damper¹

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

Idioms and Phrases

see put a damper on.

Example Sentences

The setting and main character’s lack of specificity might have been another box office damper at first.

From Salon

"And obviously the current administration has put a big damper on that."

From BBC

But a lot of music fans, this writer included, deal with disability, health and/or mobility issues that can put a damper on the typical festival experience.

From Los Angeles Times

It has put a painful damper on a job that has brought Ramos years of fulfillment.

From Los Angeles Times

Next week’s rains will still put a damper on fire danger by wetting vegetation and grass, she said.

From Los Angeles Times