damper

(dampər)

noun

  1. anything that deadens or depresses
  2. a movable plate or valve in the flue of a stove or furnace, for controlling the draft
  3. a device to check vibration in the strings of a stringed keyboard instrument
  4. a device for lessening the oscillation of a magnetic needle, a moving coil, etc.

Origin: see damp

See damper in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
  1. One that deadens, restrains, or depresses: Rain put a damper on our picnic plans.
  2. An adjustable plate, as in the flue of a furnace or stove, for controlling the draft.
  3. Music
    a. A device in various keyboard instruments for deadening the vibrations of the strings.
    b. A mute for various brass instruments.
  4. A device that eliminates or progressively diminishes vibrations or oscillations, as of a magnetic needle.

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