damask

noun

1. (countable, uncountable)An ornate silk fabric originating from Damascus.

   “True damasks are pure silk.”

   “[…]but what struck Tom's fancy most was a strange, grim-looking, high backed chair, carved in the most fantastic manner, with a flowered damask cushion, and the round knobs at the bottom of the legs carefully tied up in red cloth, as if it had got the gout in its toes.”

2. (countable, uncountable)Linen so woven that a pattern is produced by the different directions of the thread, without contrast of colour.
3. (countable, uncountable)A heavy woolen or worsted stuff with a pattern woven in the same way as the linen damask; made for furniture covering and hangings.

   “Thus the red damask curtains which now shut out the fog-laden, drizzling atmosphere of the Marylebone Road, had cost a mere song, and yet they might have been warranted to last another thirty years. A great bargain also had been the excellent Axminster carpet which covered the floor; as, again, the arm-chair in which Bunting now sat forward, staring into the dull, small fire.”

4. (countable, uncountable)Damascus steel.
5. (countable, uncountable)The peculiar markings or water of such steel.
6. (countable, uncountable)A damask rose, Rosa × damascena.
7. (countable, uncountable)A grayish-pink color, like that of the damask rose.

   “Thursday. D. certainly improved. Better night. Slight tinge of damask revisiting cheek.”

adj

1. Of a grayish-pink colour, like that of the damask rose.

   “But let concealment, like a worm i' the bud, / Feed on her damask cheek”

   “They had a lurking suspicion even, that he died of secret love; though I must say there was a picture of him in the house with a damask nose, which concealment did not appear to have ever preyed upon.”

   “Hortense, with her rich chestnut locks so luxuriantly knotted, plaited, twisted, as if she did not know how to dispose of all their abundance, with her vermillion lips, damask cheek, and roguish laughing eye.”

   “My cage has many rooms / Damask and dark / Nothing there sings, / Not even my lark.”

2. Relating to, or originating at, the city of Damascus.

verb

1. To decorate or weave in damascene patterns

   “Madame de Mercœur had herself arranged her dress, which was splendid white silk, damasked with silver flowers; but it was with much internal misgiving that she put on the graceful cap and plume.”