Damper

Damper, a door or valve which, by sliding, rising and falling, turning on a hinge, or otherwise, diminishes the aperture of a chimney or air-flue; this lessens the quantity of air that can pass through a furnace or other fire, and thus 'damps' or checks the combustion.—The damper of a piano-forte is that part of the mechanism which, after a key is struck, and the finger is lifted up from the key, immediately checks or stops the vibration of the string (see PIANO).—Damper is also the name given in Australia to a simple kind of unleavened bread formed of wheat-flour. It is made while travelling in the bush, and baked among the ashes of a fire often kindled for the purpose.