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Glite Dictionary
piano damper

piano damper

6.5
A small soft pad that rests on a piano string to stop it from vibrating
  • noun
  • /piˈænoʊ ˈdæmpər/
  • Specialized
translation icon : silenciador del piano
  • When the key is released, the piano damper falls back onto the string, silencing the note.

Examples

  • The technician replaced a worn piano damper to improve the instrument's sound quality.

  • A malfunctioning piano damper can cause unwanted ringing or sustain in a piano.

  • The piano damper stops the string from vibrating.

  • She adjusted the piano damper before playing.

  • The technician replaced a worn piano damper to improve the instrument's sound quality.

  • When the key is released, the piano damper falls back onto the string, silencing the note.

  • A malfunctioning piano damper can cause unwanted ringing or sustain in a piano.

Synonyms

damper
vspiano damper
  • Specialized
11 7.2

A device that reduces vibrations in machines, buildings, or speakers

applies specifically to the small felt part on instrument strings
deadener
vspiano damper
  • Specialized
1 7.7

A material or device that reduces noise and vibration

refers to the specific felt piece on instrument strings not a general noise blocker
damper block
vspiano damper
  • Specialized
8.2

A small piece of felt that drops on a piano string to stop it from vibrating

is the same part but described as resting when a key is released

Surface Forms

piano damper singular
piano dampers plural

Morphology

piano + damper

Both constituents are literal and compositional: 'piano' names the instrument and 'damper' denotes a device that dampens oscillations, so a B1 learner who knows both words can infer this refers to the piano part that stops string vibration. This noun–noun combination follows a common, cross-linguistic compounding pattern and is therefore transparently derivable from its parts.

Etymology

Piano damper comes from the verb 'to damp'. A small felt block called the damper rests on a string to stop the string from vibrating and make the sound quiet. That's why the name means the part that 'stops the sound'.