damask

noun dam·ask \ ˈda-məsk \

Updated on: 27 Feb 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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damask was our Word of the Day on 05/24/2012. Hear the podcast!

Recent Examples of damask from the Web

Rooms are done in Venetian, Florentine, or neoclassical style and evidence plenty of marble, gold, and damask.

— Condé Nast Traveler, "Hotel Principe di Savoia," 20 Oct. 2017
Its 250 rooms include a Louis XV suite decorated with velvet and damask wall coverings and a library filled with 10,000 books.

— stuart ferguson, WSJ, "A Carolina Xanadu," 29 Sep. 2017
In the library, the sofa is upholstered in a cotton damask, the armchair is covered in a silk velvet and the slipper chair is based on a Mongiardino design; the desk is Louis XV, the chandelier is Louis XIV and the 19th century rug is Persian.

— dana thomas, ELLE Decor, "House Tour: A Paris Home Brimming With Architectural Gems," 16 May 2017
Their original velvets, brocades, damasks and upholsteries are sought out by designers and the world's elite.

— leena kim, Town & Country, "The Palazzo Venart Is the Place to Stay During the Venice Film Festival," 1 Sep. 2017
In the library, the sofa is upholstered in a cotton damask, the armchair is covered in a silk velvet and the slipper chair is based on a Mongiardino design

— dana thomas, ELLE Decor, "House Tour: A Paris Home Brimming With Architectural Gems," 16 May 2017
As for the Oval Office wallpaper, the hitch was that York Wallcoverings stopped making the baroque, floral damask pattern three years ago and had none in stock.

— gary haber, USA TODAY, "White House requests discontinued wallpaper delivered same day. Pa. company thinks it's a prank.," 25 Aug. 2017
One of the latest fragrances by perfumer Julien Rasquinet is a unique blend of damask rose, saffron, and mandarin.

— Vanities, "Some of the Best Scents of Summer 2017," 6 July 2017
One of the latest fragrances by perfumer Julien Rasquinet is a unique blend of damask rose, saffron, and mandarin.

— vanityfair.com, "Some of the Best Scents of Summer 2017," 6 July 2017

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.

Origin and Etymology of damask

Middle English damaske, from Medieval Latin damascus, from Damascus

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

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

First Known Use of damask

15th century

Other Textiles Terms

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

DAMASK Defined for English Language Learners

damask

noun

Definition of damask for English Language Learners

: a thick usually shiny cloth that has patterns woven into it

Learn More about damask

Spanish Central: Translation of damask Nglish: Translation of damask for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about damask

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damask

Definition of damask

damask was our Word of the Day on 05/24/2012. Hear the podcast!

Recent Examples of damask from the Web

Origin and Etymology of damask

Other Textiles Terms

damask

Definition of damask

Recent Examples of damask from the Web

First Known Use of damask

Other Textiles Terms

DAMASK Defined for English Language Learners

damask

Definition of damask for English Language Learners

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damask

Definition of damask

damask was our Word of the Day on 05/24/2012. Hear the podcast!

Recent Examples of damask from the Web

Origin and Etymology of damask

Other Textiles Terms

damask

Definition of damask

Recent Examples of damask from the Web

First Known Use of damask

Other Textiles Terms

DAMASK Defined for English Language Learners

damask

Definition of damask for English Language Learners

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