white damp

American  

noun

1. a poisonous coal-mine gas composed chiefly of carbon monoxide.

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Etymology

Origin of white damp

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

On the white, damp wall of the Yahidne school basement is a crude calendar, drawn in red crayon.

From BBC • Apr. 7, 2022

The leak of white damp had all come on the outside of the roof-fall, and there was hardly any of it on the other side.

From The Boy With the U. S. Life-Savers by Rolt-Wheeler, Francis

In a few moments the winding-sheet became universally dense; all around the Marie a white damp lay under the light, and in it the mast faded and disappeared.

From An Iceland Fisherman by Cambon, M. Jules

And they put a whole lot of white damp into a mine.

From The Boy With the U.S. Miners by Rolt-Wheeler, Francis

"And what am I to do with this Signal" Hilda asked, fingering the white, damp paper.

From Hilda Lessways by Bennett, Arnold