Definitions for: Dam


[n] female parent of an animal especially domestic livestock
[n] a barrier constructed to contain the flow of water or to keep out the sea
[n] a metric unit of length equal to ten meters
[v] obstruct with, or as if with, a dam



Webster (1913) Definition: Dam, n. [OE. dame mistress, lady; also, mother, dam. See
Dame.]
1. A female parent; -- used of beasts, especially of
quadrupeds; sometimes applied in contempt to a human
mother.

Our sire and dam, now confined to horses, are a
relic of this age (13th century) . . . .Dame is used
of a hen; we now make a great difference between
dame and dam. --T. L. K.
Oliphant.

The dam runs lowing up end down, Looking the way her
harmless young one went. --Shak.

2. A kind or crowned piece in the game of draughts.


Dam, n. [Akin to OLG., D., & Dan. dam, G. & Sw. damm,
Icel. dammr, and AS. fordemman to stop up, Goth.
Fa['u]rdammjan.]
1. A barrier to prevent the flow of a liquid; esp., a bank of
earth, or wall of any kind, as of masonry or wood, built
across a water course, to confine and keep back flowing
water.

2. (Metal.) A firebrick wall, or a stone, which forms the
front of the hearth of a blast furnace.

Dam plate (Blast Furnace), an iron plate in front of the
dam, to strengthen it.


Dam, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Dammed; p. pr. & vb. n.
Damming.]
1. To obstruct or restrain the flow of, by a dam; to confine
by constructing a dam, as a stream of water; -- generally
used with in or up.

I'll have the current in this place dammed up.
--Shak.

A weight of earth that dams in the water.
--Mortimer.

2. To shut up; to stop up; to close; to restrain.

The strait pass was dammed With dead men hurt
behind, and cowards. --Shak.

To dam out, to keep out by means of a dam.

Synonyms: dam up, decameter, decametre, dekameter, dekametre, dike, dkm, dyke, levee

See Also: Aswan Dam, Aswan High Dam, barrier, block, close up, female, hectometer, hectometre, High Dam, hm, Hoover Dam, impede, jam, m, meter, metre, metric linear unit, milldam, obstruct, obturate, occlude, weir

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animals starting with s
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