A dashpot is a hydraulic or mechanical device that is used to dampen the motion of a mechanical system. It is commonly found in vehicles, engines, and machines to control vibrations, oscillations, and shocks. There is no single synonym for the word dashpot, but there are different terms that can be used to refer to it. These include a damper, shock absorber, cushion, or buffer. A damper is a device that reduces the amplitude of a vibration or oscillation, while a shock absorber is a component that absorbs or dampens shock impulses from the road or machinery. In engineering, a cushion or buffer is a device that absorbs the impact of a moving object.