| chat, to converse |
| to flee; abscond: |
damask (ˈdæməsk) ![]() | |
| —n | |
| 1. | a. a reversible fabric, usually silk or linen, with a pattern woven into it. It is used for table linen, curtains, etc |
| b. table linen made from this | |
| c. (as modifier): a damask tablecloth | |
| 2. | short for Damascus steel |
| 3. | the wavy markings on such steel |
| 4. | a. the greyish-pink colour of the damask rose |
| b. (as adjective): damask wallpaper | |
| —vb | |
| 5. | (tr) another word for damascene |
| [C14: from Medieval Latin damascus, from Damascus, where this fabric was originally made] | |
damask
patterned textile, deriving its name from the fine patterned fabrics produced in Damascus (Syria) in the European Middle Ages. True damask was originally wholly of silk, but gradually the name came to be applied to a certain type of patterned fabric regardless of fibre. Single damask has one set each of warps and wefts, or fillings, and may be woven in one or two colours; compound or double damask has a greater number of fillings. Damask is woven on a Jacquard loom, the satin field being produced by floats of warp that pass over from two to seven and in some instances nine fillings. The design is a plain or taffeta weave, the warp and filling being at right angles that create less lustre than the satin areas
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