Damascene, a. and n.
(dæməˈsiːn)
Also 4 damyssene, -assene, 4–7 damasene, 6–7 damascen, -sine: see also damson.
[ad. L. Damascēn-us, Gr. Δαµασκηνός of Damascus. Cf. Ger. damascen.]
A. adj.
1. Of or pertaining to the city of Damascus.
| [c 1386 Chaucer Monk's T. 17 Loo Adam in the feeld of Damyssene [= in agro Damasceno] With goddes owene fynger wroght was he.] 1543 Traheron Virgo's Chirurg. vi. i. Gloss., Another kynde [of viscum] is called Damascene, and commeth from Damasco. 1611 Cotgr. s.v. Damas, Huile de Damas, oyle Damascene. 1875 Scrivener Lect. Text N. Test. 17 About the ninth century, a rough, brown, unsightly paper, made of cotton rags, and sometimes called Damascene from the place where it was invented, crept gradually into use. |
2. Of or pertaining to damask, (fabrics), or to the art of damascening metal; as damascene work.
| 1541 Ord. 33 Hen. VIII in Nicholls Househ. Ord. (1790) 215 In fine Diaper, In Damasene worke. 1550 in Athenæum 21 Oct. (1871) 520/3, 4 damascene buttons were cut off my lord's gown in the privy-chamber. 1880 G. C. M. Birdwood Industr. Arts India I. 141 A vast establishment of..damascene workers, chiefly for ornamenting arms. 1882 Caulfeild & Saward Dict. Needlework 139/1 Damascene Lace... The difference between it and Modern Point lace..consists in the introduction into Damascene of real Honiton sprigs, and the absence of any needle-worked Fillings. 1883 C. C. Perkins Ital. Sculpt. 100 (Stanford) The damascene work and the foliated ornaments..challenge comparison with bronzes of any period. |
3. damascene plum: see damson 1 c.
B. n.
1. A native of Damascus.
| 1382 Wyclif 2 Cor. xi. 32 The cite of Damascenys. |
2. Damascene work; formerly applied to damask.
| 1481–90 Howard Househ. Bks. (Roxb.) 285 For brynging of damysens from Colchester. 1553 in Rogers Agric. & Prices III. 489/3 [Damascene, 6 ells {at}3/.]. 1844 Mech. Mag. XL. 342 The damascene which appears upon the surface of steel is very various. 1873 Dixon Two Queens I. v. i. 233 A Spanish silversmith copied arabesques and damascenes. |
3. See damson.