Dam, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Dammed (dămd); 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.
Dam (dăm), 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 and down,
Looking the way her harmless young one went.
Shak.
2. A king 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. Faúrdammjan.]
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.