dam
noun
[ dam ]
• a barrier constructed to hold back water and raise its level, forming a reservoir used to generate electricity or as a water supply.
• "the dam burst after torrential rain"
• a rubber sheet used to keep saliva from the teeth during dental operations, or as a prophylactic device during cunnilingus and anilingus.
dam
verb
• build a dam across (a river or lake).
• "the river was dammed to form Lake Powell"
Origin:
Middle English: from Middle Low German or Middle Dutch; related to Dutch dam and German Damm, also to Old English fordemman ‘close up’.
dam
noun
• the female parent of an animal, especially a domestic mammal.
Origin:
late Middle English (denoting a human mother): alteration of dame.
dam
abbreviation
• decametre(s).
decametre
noun
• a metric unit of length, equal to 10 metres.
