damper

Noun
Synonyms: muffler

WordNet 3.0

Noun (3)

  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 oscillationsSynonyms: muffler
  3. a depressing restraint“rain put a damper on our picnic plans”
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Damp \Damp\ (d[a^]mp), a. [Compar. Damper; superl. Dampest.]

1.Being in a state between dry and wet; moderately wet; moist; humid. [1913 Webster]

O'erspread with a damp sweat and holy fear.— Dryden.[1913 Webster]

2.Dejected; depressed; sunk. [R.] [1913 Webster]

All these and more came flocking, but with looks Downcast and damp.— Milton.[1913 Webster]
damper \damp"er\ (d[a^]m"p[~e]r), 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. [1913 Webster]
Nor did Sabrina's presence seem to act as any damper at the modest little festivities.— W. Black.[1913 Webster]
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