The English noun "damask" entered Middle English (as "damaske") from Medieval Latin damascus, taken from the name of the city of Damascus, one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities. In contemporary English "damask" is applied to a lustrous fabric with a satin weave design, as well as to a type of steel (also called "Damascus steel") ornamented with a variegated surface and to a grayish red color associated with the damask rose. While the fabric, the steel, and the damask rose probably did not originate in Damascus, their long association with the ancient city has nevertheless impressed itself upon the English language.
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
An Intricate shutter design, a cozy pile of purple floral pillows, and a golden damask-print coverlet animate this bedroom designed by Kristin Hein and Philip Cozi. Hadley Mendelsohn, House Beautiful, 23 June 2022 Even though this design is based on a 17th-century French damask pattern, the wallpaper is fresh and appealing to the 21st-century decorator. Caitlin Sole, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Aug. 2022 At the conference, he was introduced, to rapturous applause, under a portrait of George III wearing a gold damask suit. Gideon Lewis-kraus, The New Yorker, 8 Aug. 2022 Perhaps the most famous examples stateside are found in the White House Oval Office, where damask wallpaper (this administration’s choice) and paneled wainscoting continue nearly seamlessly across two doors that frame a fireplace. Alice Welsh Doyle, WSJ, 13 May 2022 That includes a damask in cream and gray and a cut velvet that's undaunted by the McClures' two children and one lovable Labrador. Sally Finder Weepie, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 May 2022 With the help of decorator Tham Kannalikham, current President Donald Trump replaced the Obama-era beige striped wallpaper in the Oval Office with a light grey damask option. Mary Elizabeth Andriotis, House Beautiful, 14 Jan. 2021 Her salon was hidden in our back room at home in Birmingham, behind the damask lilac curtain, which divided the worlds of men and women. Liam Hess, Vogue, 28 Mar. 2022 Over-scale and high contrast, the damask wallpaper balances classic white subway tile and mosaic floors. Kelly Ryan Kegans, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Nov. 2021
Adjective
One of the documents, according to Clarke, includes an inventory of all the fineries that were transferred to Tutbury when Mary left the Earl of Shrewsbury’s charge—a list that includes damask tablecloths and napkins, plates, bowls and basins. Brigit Katz, Smithsonian, 8 Jan. 2018 See More
Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English damaske, from Medieval Latin damascus, from Damascus