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Damascus

a city of Syria. 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 damasc appearance. Damascus steel. See damask steel, under damask.

Origin: L.