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Glite Dictionary
blackdamp

blackdamp

9.9
Dangerous mine air with too much carbon dioxide that can suffocate people
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : gases tóxicos
  • Miners are trained to recognize the signs of blackdamp to avoid suffocation.

Examples

  • After the blast, sensors detected deadly levels of blackdamp throughout the lower tunnels.

  • The presence of blackdamp in the mine made rescue operations extremely dangerous.

  • The miners encountered blackdamp after the explosion.

  • Is there any blackdamp present in the mine?

  • After the explosion, the air was filled with blackdamp, making it impossible for anyone to survive.

  • The rescue team had to wear special equipment to enter the area contaminated by blackdamp.

  • Miners constantly monitor for blackdamp because it represents a significant risk to their safety.

Synonyms

afterdamp
vsblackdamp
  • Archaic
1 9.9

A dangerous mix of gases left in a mine after an explosion that can poison people

focuses on a mine atmosphere mainly carbon dioxide not a mixed toxic gas
chokedamp
vsblackdamp
  • Archaic
9.9

A dangerous mix of gases in a mine after an explosion that makes it hard to breathe

is an identical term for the same mine atmosphere

Antonyms

oxygen
751 1.0

A colorless gas that people and animals need to breathe

fresh air
143 1.0

Clean outdoor air that feels refreshing and healthy

How Dangerous

blackdamp
  • Specialized
9.9
afterdamp
  • Archaic
1 9.9
carbon monoxide
  • Specialized
37 3.6
stale air
2 2.8
fresh air
143 1.0

Surface Forms

blackdamp singular
blackdamps plural

Morphology

blackdamp = black + damp (semi-transparent) = black + damp

Formed from the clear words 'black' + 'damp', but the specific technical meaning (a suffocating, CO2-rich mine atmosphere) is specialized and relies on an older sense of 'damp' as vapour, so learners will not reliably infer it.

Etymology

Blackdamp comes from the common words black ('dark') and damp ('wet' or 'moist'). Miners used it for a dark, heavy air in a mine that feels like wet fog and has no oxygen to keep people alive, so blackdamp means the deadly mine air that can make people stop breathing.