-pən, -p ə m verb
( dampened -pənd, -p ə md ; dampened “ ; dampening -p(ə)niŋ ; dampens -pənz, -p ə mz)
Etymology: damp (III) + -en
transitive verb
1. : to check or diminish the activity or vigor of : depress , deaden , dull
dampened our enthusiasm
any downturn … of the nation's business could dampen the railroad boom — New York Times
nothing here to dampen courage or blunt the zest for life — M.R.Cohen
2. : to make slightly wet : moisten : make damp
dampen a sponge
ground barely dampened by showers
3. : damp vt 1c
intransitive verb
1. : to become damp : gather moisture
during the night the ground dampened
2. : to become deadened or dulled
soon found their ardor dampening