damask

noun dam·ask \ ˈda-məsk \

|Updated on: 12 Aug 2018

Definition of damask

1 : a firm lustrous fabric (as of linen, cotton, silk, or rayon) made with flat patterns in a satin weave on a plain-woven ground on jacquard looms

2 : damascus steel; also : the characteristic markings of this steel

3 : a grayish red

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Recent Examples of damask from the Web

In a London townhouse decorated by Rob Southern, entry walls are covered in a classic damask pattern printed on raffia paper by Stark.

— sarah yang, House Beautiful, "Top Pin of the Day: An Entry in a London Townhouse," 10 June 2014
Silk damask, Delobo in Coral on Natural — Pintura Studio (T); pinturastudio.com.

— House Beautiful, "March 2018 Product Guide," 6 Feb. 2018
Coben took inspiration from Victorian textiles to create a custom damask motif for wall coverings in a subdued palette of blues, grays, and metallics, an update on the usual scheme of deep reds and burgundies.

— jennifer fernandez, ELLE Decor, "Be The First To Stay At This Stunning Saratoga Springs Grande Dame Hotel Reborn," 17 Nov. 2017
Wolfe, presumably with hands in pockets, has pulled his pale jacket back to reveal the famed vestee, the wide damask tie skewered with a fancy cravat pin, pocket handkerchief fanning open like a magnolia in bloom.

— hamish bowles, Vogue, "Tom Wolfe: Remembering the Iconic Style of “The Man in the White Suit”," 15 May 2018
Each of the seven lavish suites is swathed in damask, silk brocade and zellige.

— lindsay cohn, ELLE Decor, "Why Every Culture Aficionado Needs to Visit Fez, Morocco," 6 Mar. 2018
Find your fabric: Cotton has a lighter more casual feel, while denser fabrics, like damask or velvet, feel more formal.

— contributing writer, NOLA.com, "8 things to consider when buying drapes. It's more than finding the right fabric," 27 Feb. 2018
The tables in the grand ballroom were covered with white brocade damask topped with white satin lace.

— lisa gutierrez, kansascity, "Melania, Donald Trump anniversary: Extravagant wedding was 13 years ago | The Kansas City Star," 22 Jan. 2018
This charming bedroom from Tobi Tobin has always been a favorite of mine — classic white monogramed bedding in a room wrapped in that marvelous damask wallpaper.

— scot meacham wood, House Beautiful, "7 Steps to Your Perfect Bed," 9 June 2014

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'damask.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Did You Know?

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.

Origin and Etymology of damask

Middle English damaske, from Medieval Latin damascus, from Damascus

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

Other Textiles Terms

batt, bias, brocade, duck, flock, lawn, toile

damask

adjective

Definition of damask

1 : made of or resembling damask

2 : of the color damask

Recent Examples of damask from the Web

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, "These Letters Tell the Inside Story of Mary, Queen of Scots’ Imprisonment," 8 Jan. 2018