dampen

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damp|en /d'æmpən/ (dampens dampening dampened)
1 [VERB] V n
To dampen something such as someone's enthusiasm or excitement means to make it less lively or intense.
Nothing seems to dampen his perpetual enthusiasm...
[PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V n P
To dampen something down means the same as to dampen it.
Although unemployment rose last month, this is unlikely to dampen down wage demands...
The economy overheated and the Government used to interest rates to dampen it down.
2 [VERB] V n
If you dampen something, you make it slightly wet.
She took the time to dampen a washcloth and do her face.

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