[1] : The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

dashpot \dash"pot`\, dash-pot \dash-pot\da^sh"po^t`, n.
   mach.
   a mechanical damping device containing a piston that moves in
   a fluid-filled chamber to serve as a pneumatic or hydraulic
   cushion for a falling weight, as in the valve gear of a steam
   engine, to prevent shock.
   1913 webster + wordnet 1.5

   note: it consists of a chamber, containing air or a liquid,
         in which a piston a, attached to the weight, falls
         freely until it enters a space as below the openings,
         b from which the air or liquid can escape but slowly
         as through cock c, when its fall is gradually
         checked.
         1913 webster

   note: a cataract of an engine is sometimes called a dashpot.
         1913 webster

[2] : The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

cataract \cat"aract\, n. l. cataracta, catarracles, a
   waterfall, gr. ?, ?, fr. ? to break down; in the passive, to
   fall or rush down of tumors to burst; kata` down + ? to
   break.
   1. a great fall of water over a precipice; a large waterfall.
      1913 webster

   2. surg. an opacity of the crystalline lens, or of its
      capsule, which prevents the passage of the rays of light
      and impairs or destroys the sight.
      1913 webster

   3. mach. a kind of hydraulic brake for regulating the
      action of pumping engines and other machines; -- sometimes
      called dashpot.
      1913 webster
see also:
dashpot 

[3] : WordNet (r) 2.0

dash-pot
     n : a mechanical damper; the vibrating part is attached to a
         piston that moves in a chamber filled with liquid

Dashpot >> D Words
Dashpot, definition of term: Dashpot
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