From WordNet (r) 2.0 (August 2003) [wn]:
dam
n 1: a barrier constructed to contain the flow of water or to
keep out the sea [syn: dike, dyke, levee]
2: a metric unit of length equal to ten meters [syn:
decameter, dekameter, decametre, dekametre, dkm]
3: female parent of an animal especially domestic livestock
v : obstruct with, or as if with, a dam; "dam the gorges of the
Yangtse River" [syn: dam up]
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Dam \Dam\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Dammed (d[a^]md); 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.
[1913 Webster]
I'll have the current in this place dammed up.
--Shak.
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A weight of earth that dams in the water.
--Mortimer.
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2. To shut up; to stop up; to close; to restrain.
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The strait pass was dammed
With dead men hurt behind, and cowards. --Shak.
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To dam out, to keep out by means of a dam.
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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Dam \Dam\ (d[a^]m), 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.
[1913 Webster]
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.
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The dam runs lowing up and down,
Looking the way her harmless young one went. --Shak.
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2. A king or crowned piece in the game of draughts.
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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Dam \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.
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2. (Metal.) A firebrick wall, or a stone, which forms the
front of the hearth of a blast furnace.
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Dam plate (Blast Furnace), an iron plate in front of the
dam, to strengthen it.
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