Damp, v. i. [imp. & p. p.Damped (?); p. pr. & vb. n.Damping.] [OE. dampen to choke, suffocate. See Damp, n.] 1. To render damp; to moisten; to make humid, or moderately wet; to dampen; as, to damp cloth.
2. To put out, as fire; to depress or deject; to deaden; to cloud; to check or restrain, as action or vigor; to make dull; to weaken; to discourage. “To damp your tender hopes.” Akenside.
Usury dulls and damps all industries, improvements, and new inventions, wherein money would be stirring if it were not for this slug. Bacon.
How many a day has been damped and darkened by an angry word! Sir J. Lubbock.
The failure of his enterprise damped the spirit of the soldiers. Macaulay.