dimmern.
/ˈdɪmə/, U.S. /ˈdɪmər/ One who or that which dims. spec. A device for reducing the brilliance of a light, esp. in a theatre, cinema, etc. Also figurative and attributive.
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the world > matter > light > darkness or absence of light > dimness or absence of brightness > [noun] > action of dimming > one who or that which
dimmer1822
the world > matter > light > darkness or absence of light > dimness or absence of brightness > [noun] > action of dimming > a reduction in brightness > device for
dimmer1905
1822 Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. 11 594 A dimmer to the daylights.
18.. J. H. Newman Idea of Univ. To remove the original dimmer of the mind's eye.
1905 Chambers's Jrnl. 26 Aug. 624/2 What is called a ‘dimmer’ is in use at some such places [sc. theatres] already.
1909 Cent. Dict. Suppl. Dimmer, in elect., an adjustable reactive coil used for reducing the amount of light of incandescent lamps.
1913 Work 14 June 212/1 The resistance of the dimmer coils.
1916 H. L. Wilson Somewhere in Red Gap ix. 378 It was a suit that the automobile law in some states would have compelled him to put dimmers on.
1926 H. T. Wilkins Marvels Mod. Mech. 236 Levers on these dials operate the ‘dimmers’.
1933 P. Godfrey Back-stage i. 18 The electrician has been busy sliding the stops on his dimmer-board.
Draft additions June 2022
dimmer switch n. a device that varies the brightness of an electric light; spec. (a) a dial, switch, or control panel (typically wall-mounted) that allows the gradual adjustment of lighting levels in a room, building, etc.; (b) (chiefly North American) a device that enables switching between low and high beam on a vehicle's headlights; = dip-switch n.In quot. 1896 referring to a device used to adjust the colour of the lighting as well as the brightness.
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1896 Record-Union (Sacramento, Calif.) 23 Oct. 5/3 Now in operation at the Clunie Opera-house one of the best arranged..electrical switch boards... Eight great ‘dimmer’ switches. By these devices shadings and tones of light are produced.
1914 Sat. Spectator (Terre Haute, Indiana) 24 Jan. (Automobile section) 15 (advt.) Would You Like a Low Priced Car With a little more class..With a dimmer switch for the head lights.
1924 Western Argus (Kalgoorlie, W. Austral.) 21 Oct. 8/3 Mr. W. Harvey..has perfected an invention by which it is possible to dim or brighten at will electric lights... By turning a screw the light gradually increases in brilliance... Mr. Harvey intends placing the dimmer switch..on the market.
1952 Hattiesburg (Mississippi) Amer. 20 June 8/2 All these lights [in a chapel] are controlled by a Powerstat dimmer and three remote dimmer switches, making it possible to establish any level of illumination from off to full bright.
1998 Richmond (Va.) Times Disp. (Nexis) (City ed.) 12 Jan. Have the dimmer switch put back on the floor of the car where it belongs and not on the steering column with a dozen other things.
2005 Period Living & Trad. Homes Apr. 66/1 Start your design with ambient lighting—a central pendant or wall lights—but keep it fairly soft by fitting a dimmer switch.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1896; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
dimmerv.
/ˈdɪmə/, U.S. /ˈdɪmər/ To appear dimly, faintly, or indistinctly.
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the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > visibility > be visible [verb (intransitive)] > become indistinctly visible
loom1605
dimmer1873
1873 C. G. Leland Egyptian Sketch-bk. 22 He..looked over the top-rail at the beautiful Monte Christo, which was dimmering in the distance.
1892 R. Kipling Barrack-room Ballads 123 As the shape of a corpse dimmers up through deep water.
1914 R. Kipling Lett. of Trav. (1920) 269 Then the river dimmered up like pewter.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1896; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1822
v.1873