dam|nable /dæ mnəb ə l/ ADJ [ADJ n] You use damnable to emphasize that you dislike or disapprove of something a great deal. [OLD-FASHIONED , RUDE , EMPHASIS ] □ What a damnable climate we have! ● dam|nably /dæ mnəbli/ ADV [ADV adj] □ It was damnably unfair that he should suffer so much.
dam|na|tion /dæ mne I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT According to some religions, if someone suffers damnation , they have to stay in hell for ever after they have died because of their sins. □ …a fear of eternal damnation.
damned /dæ md/
1 ADJ [ADJ n] Damned is used by some people to emphasize what they are saying, especially when they are angry or frustrated. [INFORMAL , RUDE , EMPHASIS ] □ They're a damned nuisance. ● ADV [ADV adj/adv] Damned is also an adverb. □ We are making a damned good profit, I tell you that.
2 PHRASE If someone says ' I'm damned if I'm going to do it' or ' I'll be damned if I'll do it', they are emphasizing that they do not intend to do something and think it is unreasonable for anyone to expect them to do it. [INFORMAL , RUDE , EMPHASIS ]
damned|est /dæ md I st/ PHRASE If you say that you will do your damnedest to achieve something, you mean that you will try as hard as you can to do it, even though you think that it will take a lot of effort. [INFORMAL , RUDE ] □ I did my damnedest to persuade her.
da mn foo l ADJ [ADJ n] Damn fool means 'very stupid'. [AM , INFORMAL , OLD-FASHIONED , RUDE , EMPHASIS ] □ What a damn fool thing to do!
damn|ing /dæ m I ŋ/ ADJ If you describe evidence or a report as damning , you mean that it suggests very strongly that someone is guilty of a crime or has made a serious mistake. □ …a damning report into his handling of the affair.
Damocles /dæ məkliːz/ PHRASE If you say that someone has the Sword of Damocles hanging over their head, you mean that they are in a situation in which something very bad could happen to them at any time. [LITERARY ]
damp /dæ mp/ (damper , dampest , damps , damping , damped )
1 ADJ Something that is damp is slightly wet. □ Her hair was still damp. □ She wiped the table with a damp cloth.
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.