damask
damask
Pronunciation
/ˈdæməsk/
dam- /dæm/: /d/ as in dog, /æ/ as in cat, /m/ as in man.
-ask /əsk/: /ə/ as in about, /s/ as in sun, /k/ as in kite.
Word Form Variations
Singular Noun: damask
Plural Noun: damasks
Adjective: damask
Verb (base form): damask
Verb (past tense): damasked
Verb (present participle): damasking
Verb (past participle): damasked
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
A rich, reversible patterned fabric, often made of silk, wool, or linen, that is created by weaving a pattern into the cloth. The pattern is typically visible on both sides, with the design being the opposite color of the background.
Synonyms: brocade, tapestry, jacquard, chintz
Antonyms: plain cloth, solid-colored fabric
Verb
To weave a pattern into a fabric, creating a damask-like design.
Synonyms: emboss, brocade, figure, pattern
Antonyms: un-pattern, plain-weave
Adjective
Having the appearance or texture of damask; made of or resembling damask.
Synonyms: patterned, textured, brocaded, figured
Antonyms: unpatterned, solid, plain
A deep reddish-pink color, similar to the hue of a damask rose.
Synonyms: cerise, crimson, rose, magenta
Antonyms: achromatic, colorless, dull
Examples of Use
Noun
"The historical society's tour highlighted a dining room adorned with a rich red damask on the walls, a common feature in Victorian-era homes."
"At the gala, she wore a stunning gown of floral damask, the intricate pattern catching the light with every step."
"The upholstery on the antique settee was a beautiful blue damask, though it was beginning to show signs of wear."
"In the popular home decorating show, the designers transformed the living room by adding new curtains of a cream-colored damask fabric."
Adjective
"The king's chamber was decorated with expensive damask hangings that depicted a royal crest."
"Her cheeks, flushed from the cold, were a damask pink, reminding him of the roses in her garden."
"The theater company used a heavy damask curtain as the backdrop for their period piece, lending an air of authenticity to the scene."
"The interior designer chose a damask wallpaper to create an elegant and sophisticated atmosphere in the study."
Verb
"The textile artist damasked the fabric by hand, carefully weaving the delicate floral pattern into the silk."
"The factory specializes in high-end furnishings and has been damasking fabrics for over a century."
10 Famous Quotes Using Damask
"I have seen roses damask'd, red and white, but no such roses see I in her cheeks..." - William Shakespeare, Sonnet 130
"Lawn as white as driven snow; Cyprus black as e'er was crow; Gloves as sweet as damask roses." - William Shakespeare, The Winter's Tale
"She wasn't happy, but then she wasn't unhappy. She wasn't anything. But I don't believe anyone is a nothing. There has to be something inside, if only to keep the skin from collapsing. This vacant eye, listless hand, this damask cheek dusted like a doughnut with plastic powder, had to have a memory or a dream." - John Steinbeck, Travels with Charley: In Search of America
"The name of the rose is Madame Hardy. It's a damask rose, and one of the most famous old roses available these days." - Abbi Waxman, The Garden of Small Beginnings
"My favorite outfit was a pair of ankara-print shorts, a damask top, and yellow high-heel shoes." - Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
"The rivers and even the falls below Theed froze; the rolling plains and tall forests were blanketed three meters deep with snow; plasmic quakes rocked the Gallo Mountains and the Lake Country, the Holy Places and the undersea city of Otoh Gunga; and many of the egresses of the underwaterways that hollowed the planet." - James Luceno, Darth Plagueis (referencing the character Hego Damask)
"Her gardens are full of roses—sprawling, old tangled bushes, quite a few of them autumn-flowering damasks with their last flowers still nodding and drooping in the rain." - Elizabeth Wein, Code Name Verity
"I would do anything – absolutely anything,' he was thinking, 'if only you would be nice to me... Just be nice to me, then at least we shall be a little closer to each other, instead of so horribly far apart." - Cao Xueqin, Dream of the Red Chamber
"Enjoy the best quotes on Damask." - Norah Lofts
"In Summer there were white and damask roses, and the smell of thyme and musk." - Beatrix Potter
Etymology
The word "damask" comes from the name of the ancient city of Damascus, which is the capital of modern-day Syria. In the Middle Ages, Damascus was a major center for the production of luxurious patterned fabrics, especially silk. The city's artisans were famous for their intricate weaving techniques.
The word first appeared in English in the late 14th century, originally spelled "damaske" or "damasc." At that time, it was used as an adjective to describe things from Damascus, particularly the beautiful and expensive textiles. Over time, the word's meaning shifted from describing the place of origin to describing the type of fabric itself. So, if someone said they had "damask cloth," they meant a patterned silk or linen textile similar to those made in Damascus.
The meaning of the word has since expanded. By the 16th century, "damask" also began to be used to describe the deep pink or reddish color of certain roses, known as damask roses, which were also believed to have originated in or near the Damascus region. The verb form, "to damask," developed later, meaning to decorate a fabric with a woven pattern.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Damask
A damask cheek: A poetic phrase referring to a fair, rosy complexion, often used in older literature to describe a beautiful woman.
Woven in damask: To have something intricately or complexly patterned, like a story or a piece of art.
Behind the damask curtain: A figurative way of saying something is happening in a luxurious or hidden space, often associated with secrets or private affairs of the wealthy.
The damask of morning: A descriptive phrase for the sky at sunrise, with soft, intricate patterns of color.
A brocade of ideas: A metaphor for a rich and complex tapestry of thoughts, where different ideas are interwoven to create a detailed whole.
To pattern a room with jacquard: A variation of a less common idiom, meaning to decorate a space with rich, complex designs, not just with patterned fabric.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of damask from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
