damask

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a rich fabric whose woven pattern is visible through contrasting textures, often reversible

   Heavy damask covered the walls and the high-backed chairs.

2. 2
   adj

   made of, woven like, or decorated with damask

   The dining table was laid with a white damask cloth.

From Middle English damaske, through Medieval Latin damascus from the name Damascus. The Syrian city was an important trading center associated in Europe with luxurious patterned textiles. The name later broadened from silk to linen, wool, cotton, and other fabrics woven with a reversible pattern.

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