Damp \Damp\ (d[a^]mp), n. [Akin to LG., D., & Dan. damp vapor,
steam, fog, G. dampf, Icel. dampi, Sw. damb dust, and to MNG.
dimpfen to smoke, imp. dampf.]
1. Moisture; humidity; fog; fogginess; vapor.
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Night . . . with black air
Accompanied, with damps and dreadful gloom.
--Milton.
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2. Dejection; depression; cloud of the mind.
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Even now, while thus I stand blest in thy presence,
A secret damp of grief comes o'er my soul.
--Addison.
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It must have thrown a damp over your autumn
excursion. --J. D.
Forbes.
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3. (Mining) A gaseous product, formed in coal mines, old
wells, pints, etc.
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Choke damp, a damp consisting principally of carbonic acid
gas; -- so called from its extinguishing flame and animal
life. See Carbonic acid, under Carbonic.
Damp sheet, a curtain in a mine gallery to direct air
currents and prevent accumulation of gas.
Fire damp, a damp consisting chiefly of light carbureted
hydrogen; -- so called from its tendence to explode when
mixed with atmospheric air and brought into contact with
flame.
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Carbonic \Car*bon"ic\, a. [Cf. F. carbonique. See Carbon.]
(Chem.)
Of, pertaining to, or obtained from, carbon; as, carbonic
oxide.
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Carbonic acid (Chem.), an acid HO.CO.OH, not existing
separately, which, combined with positive or basic atoms
or radicals, forms carbonates. In common language the term
is very generally applied to a compound of carbon and
oxygen, CO2, more correctly called carbon dioxide. It
is a colorless, heavy, irrespirable gas, extinguishing
flame, and when breathed destroys life. It can be reduced
to a liquid and solid form by intense pressure. It is
produced in the fermentation of liquors, and by the
combustion and decomposition of organic substances, or
other substances containing carbon. It is formed in the
explosion of fire damp in mines, and is hence called
after damp; it is also know as choke damp, and
mephitic air. Water will absorb its own volume of it,
and more than this under pressure, and in this state
becomes the common soda water of the shops, and the
carbonated water of natural springs. Combined with lime it
constitutes limestone, or common marble and chalk. Plants
imbibe it for their nutrition and growth, the carbon being
retained and the oxygen given out.
Carbonic oxide (Chem.), a colorless gas, CO, of a light
odor, called more correctly carbon monoxide. It is
almost the only definitely known compound in which carbon
seems to be divalent. It is a product of the incomplete
combustion of carbon, and is an abundant constituent of
water gas. It is fatal to animal life, extinguishes
combustion, and burns with a pale blue flame, forming
carbon dioxide.
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