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Dampening: meaning, definitions and examples

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dampening

 

[ ˈdæmpənɪŋ ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

general use

Dampening refers to the process of making something moist or less intense. In a physical context, it can mean the reduction of vibrations or fluctuations. Dampening can also apply in emotional contexts, such as reducing enthusiasm or intensity of feelings. The term is often used in engineering, music, and psychology to describe various forms of attenuation.

Synonyms

attenuation, moistening, reduction, softening

Examples of usage

  • The dampening of sound improved the acoustics of the room.
  • He felt a dampening of his spirits after receiving bad news.
  • The dampening effect of the material helped minimize vibrations.

Translations

Translations of the word "dampening" in other languages:

🇵🇹 amortecimento

🇮🇳 कमज़ोरी

🇩🇪 Dämpfung

🇮🇩 peredaman

🇺🇦 пригнічення

🇵🇱 tłumienie

🇯🇵 減衰

🇫🇷 dampening

🇪🇸 atenuación

🇹🇷 sönümleme

🇰🇷 감쇠

🇸🇦 تخفيف

🇨🇿 tlumení

🇸🇰 tlmenie

🇨🇳 减弱

🇸🇮 dušenje

🇮🇸 dämpun

🇰🇿 жұмсарту

🇬🇪 დამცირება

🇦🇿 yumşatma

🇲🇽 atenuación

Word origin

The word 'dampening' originates from the Middle English word 'damp', which itself comes from the Old French word 'damp', meaning 'moisture' or 'humidity'. The root can be traced further back to the Latin word 'dum', which means 'wet'. Over time, 'damp' evolved to include not only the idea of moisture but also the concept of lessening or reducing, particularly its effect on sounds or emotions. The '-ening' suffix was added to form the present participle, signifying the action of making something damp or less intense. This evolution in meaning reflects the adaptability of language in scientific, emotional, and practical contexts.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #26,391, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.