damper

noun8

1. •
   Something that damps or checks.
2. •
   A valve or movable plate in the flue or other part of a stove, furnace, etc., used to check or regulate the draught of air.
3. •
   A contrivance (sordine), as in a pianoforte, to deaden vibrations; or, as in other pieces of mechanism, to check some action at a particular time.
4. •
   Something that kills the mood.

   • Nor did Sabrina′s presence seem to act as any damper at the modest little festivities. — 1887
5. •
   A device that decreases the oscillations of a system.

   • Figure 7.13 shows stability diagrams that illustrate the effect of the magnitude of the damping coefficient of the damper on the flutter of the pipe. — 2019
6. •
   A shock absorber.

   • In general, steel springs were stipulated for primary suspension, although rubber was accepted for auxiliary springing; hydraulic dampers were specified and the use of laminated springs ruled out. — 1960
7. •
   (Australia, New-Zealand) Bread made from a basic recipe of flour, water, milk, and salt, but without yeast.

   • The flour bespattering Squeaker's now neglected clothes spoke eloquently of his clumsy efforts at damper making. — 1902
8. •
   (slang, no longer used) A shop till.