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2 N‑UNCOUNT Damp is moisture that is found on the inside walls of a house or in the air. □  There was damp everywhere and the entire building was in need of rewiring.

3 → see also rising damp

4 VERB If you damp something, you make it slightly wet. □ [V n] Hillsden damped a hand towel and laid it across her forehead.

▸  damp down PHRASAL VERB To damp down something such as a strong emotion, an argument, or a crisis means to make it calmer or less intense. □ [V P n] His hand moved to his mouth as he tried to damp down the panic.

da mp course (damp courses ) N‑COUNT A damp course is a layer of waterproof material which is put into the bottom of the outside wall of a building to prevent moisture from rising. [BRIT ]

damp|en /dæ mpən/ (dampens , dampening , dampened )

1 VERB To dampen something such as someone's enthusiasm or excitement means to make it less lively or intense. □ [V n] Nothing seems to dampen his perpetual enthusiasm. ● PHRASAL VERB To dampen something down means the same as to dampen it. □ [V P n] Although unemployment rose last month, this is unlikely to dampen down wage demands. □ [V n P ] The economy overheated and the government used to interest rates to dampen it down.

2 VERB If you dampen something, you make it slightly wet. □ [V n] She took the time to dampen a washcloth and do her face.

damp|en|er /dæ mpnə ^r / PHRASE To put a dampener on something means the same as to put a damper on it. □  Boy, did this woman know how to put a dampener on your day.

damp|er /dæ mpə ^r / (dampers ) PHRASE To put a damper on something means to have an effect on it which stops it being as enjoyable or as successful as it should be. [INFORMAL ] □  The cold weather put a damper on our plans.

damp|ness /dæ mpnəs/ N‑UNCOUNT Dampness is moisture in the air, or on the surface of something. □  The tins had to be kept away from dampness.

da mp-proof course (damp-proof courses ) N‑COUNT A damp-proof course is the same as a damp course .

dam|sel /dæ mz ^ə l/ (damsels ) N‑COUNT A damsel is a young, unmarried woman. [LITERARY , OLD-FASHIONED ] □  He keeps coming to the aid of this damsel in distress.

dam|son /dæ mz ^ə n/ (damsons ) N‑COUNT A damson is a small, sour, purple plum.

dance ◆◆◇ /dɑː ns, dæ ns/ (dances , dancing , danced )

1 VERB When you dance , you move your body and feet in a way which follows a rhythm, usually in time to music. □ [V ] Polly had never learned to dance. □ [V + to ] I like to dance to the music on the radio.

2 N‑COUNT A dance is a particular series of graceful movements of your body and feet, which you usually do in time to music. □  Sometimes the people doing this dance hold brightly colored scarves. □  She describes the tango as a very sexy dance.

3 VERB When you dance with someone, the two of you take part in a dance together, as partners. You can also say that two people dance . □ [V + with ] It's a terrible thing when nobody wants to dance with you. □ [V ] Shall we dance? □ [V ] He asked her to dance. ● N‑COUNT Dance is also a noun. □  Come and have a dance with me.

4 N‑COUNT A dance is a social event where people dance with each other. □  …the school dance.

5 N‑UNCOUNT Dance is the activity of performing dances, as a public entertainment or an art form. □  She loves dance, drama and music. □  …dance classes.

6 VERB If you dance a particular kind of dance, you do it or perform it. □ [V n] Then we put the music on, and we all danced the Charleston.