I. ˈdaməsk sometimes dəˈmask noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English damaske, from Medieval Latin damascus, from Damascus, Syria, where such fabrics were first produced
1. : a firm lustrous fabric produced with warp-faced and filling-faced satins for figure and ground respectively on one side and with reversed effect on the other, made on jacquard looms usually of linen, cotton, silk, rayon, or combinations of these fibers, and used for household linen, interior decoration, and clothing
2.
a. : damascus steel
b. : the peculiar markings of such steel — compare water 7c
3.
[ damask (rose) ]
: a grayish red that is bluer than bois de rose, bluer, lighter, and stronger than blush rose, and bluer and deeper than Pompeian red or appleblossom
II. adjective
1. : made of or resembling damask
damask table linen
2. : made of or resembling Damascus steel
3.
[ damask (rose) ]
: of the color damask
III. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
1. : damascene
2. : to weave or adorn with ornamentation characteristic of damask : decorate with variegated pattern or color
on the soft downy bank damasked with flowers — John Milton
the damasked barge — Elinor Wylie
3. : to furnish with damask or damask hangings
the columned, damasked, oppressively genteel mansion — Catherine M. Brown
4. : to make of the color damask
5.
a. : to deface (as a book) by marking with lines or figures
b. : to make (a seal) invalid by defacing with a hammer blow