This week's theme
Toponyms

This week's words
stellenbosch
campanology
perse
iliad
damask


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Next week's theme
Americanisms

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A.Word.A.Day

PRONUNCIATION:

(DAM-uhsk)

MEANING:

noun:	1. A reversible fabric with a pattern woven into it, used for table linen, upholstery, etc.
	2. Short for damask rose.
	3. The color of damask rose: grayish red or pink.
	4. Short for damask steel.
	5. Wavy markings on such steel.
adjective:	1. Made of or resembling damask.
	2. Having the color of damask rose.
verb tr.:	1. To decorate or weave with richly-figured designs.
	2. To inlay a metal object with gold or silver patterns; to gild.

ETYMOLOGY:

From Damascus, where this fabric was first produced. Earliest documented use: 1325.

USAGE:

"The richly coloured damask-covered walls do evoke the palaces for which many of the pictures were intended."
Getting Away from Cultural Spinach; The Economist (London, UK); Aug 28, 2008.

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY: