dampen
UK: ˈdæmpən | US: ˈdæmpən
vt. to make something slightly wet
vt. to reduce the intensity or strength of something (e.g., sound, emotion)
vi. to become damp or less intense
dampen = damp<moist> + en<verb suffix>
- damp (from Middle Low German damp "vapor, mist," related to Old English dimp "darkness")
- en (a verb-forming suffix from Old English -nian, used to create verbs meaning "to make or become")
Etymology Origin:
The word dampen combines damp, originally referring to moisture or vapor, with the suffix -en, which turns nouns or adjectives into verbs. Historically, damp evolved from Germanic roots meaning "mist" or "darkness," later shifting to describe moisture. Adding -en extended its meaning to the action of making something moist or less intense, reflecting both physical and metaphorical weakening.
The rain began to dampen the dry soil.
She tried to dampen her excitement to avoid disappointment.
A thick curtain will dampen the noise from the street.
The cloth was used to dampen the surface before painting.
His criticism did little to dampen her enthusiasm for the project.