from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Damascus \Damascus\ prop. n. (Geography)
The capital city of Syria. Population (2000) = 1,549,932.
[PJC]
{Damascus blade}, a sword or scimiter, made chiefly at
Damascus, having a variegated appearance of watering, and
proverbial for excellence.
{Damascus iron}, or {Damascus twist}, metal formed of thin
bars or wires of iron and steel elaborately twisted and
welded together; used for making gun barrels, etc., of
high quality, in which the surface, when polished and
acted upon by acid, has a damask appearance.
{Damascus steel}. See {Damask steel}, under {Damask}, a.
[1913 Webster]