dampener
|damp-en-er|
🇺🇸
/ˈdæmpənər/
🇬🇧
/ˈdæmpənə/
reduce intensity
Etymology
'dampener' originates from the word 'dampen,' which comes from Middle English 'dampnen,' meaning 'to moisten or make damp.'
'dampnen' transformed into the modern English word 'dampen,' and eventually 'dampener' was derived as a noun form.
Initially, it meant 'to moisten or make damp,' but over time it evolved to include the meaning of reducing intensity or enthusiasm.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a device or substance that reduces the intensity of vibrations, noise, or oscillations.
The engineer installed a dampener to reduce the noise from the machinery.
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Noun 2
something that discourages or depresses enthusiasm or excitement.
The sudden rain was a dampener on our picnic plans.
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Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:45