Damask

DAMASK is also an acronym describing a piece of U.S. military ordnance. In this usage, DAMASK stands for Direct Attack Munition Affordable Seeker. It is an add-on for the incredibly multitalented Mark-84 gravity bomb, and consists of a steering fin tailkit and an infrared imager in the nose. The IR imager contains a preloaded IR signature or 'image' of the target - a tank, or ship, say - and the weapon attempts to guide itself to the target by homing on this signature. This makes it a smart weapon (as opposed to competent munition) in that it seeks its target independent of the target's current location.

The technique used is very similar to the DSMAC technique used in earlier Tomahawk cruise missiles to guide the weapons in their final seconds of flight. The primary difference is that the DAMASK uses a cheap IR sensor where the Tomahawk uses a more complex video and computer imaging system.

Damask is a fabric created centuries ago in the Syrian capital of Damascus. Originally it was made from silver, gold, and silk fibers all woven together. In the eleventh century, Crusaders brought the fabric to Europe, where it became quite popular. Damask is still handmade today, but with more options for materials.

Dam"ask (?), n. [From the city Damascus, L. Damascus, Gr. , Heb. Dammesq, Ar. Daemeshq; cf. Heb. d'meseq damask; cf. It. damasco, Sp. damasco, F. damas. Cf. Damascene, Damasse.]

1.

Damask silk; silk woven with an elaborate pattern of flowers and the like.

"A bed of ancient damask."

W. Irving.

2.

Linen so woven that a pattern in produced by the different directions of the thread, without contrast of color.

3.

A heavy woolen or worsted stuff with a pattern woven in the same way as the linen damask; -- made for furniture covering and hangings.

4.

Damask or Damascus steel; also, the peculiar markings or "water" of such steel.

5.

A deep pink or rose color.

Fairfax.

 

© Webster 1913.

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Dam"ask, a.

1.

Pertaining to, or originating at, the city of Damascus; resembling the products or manufactures of Damascus.

2.

Having the color of the damask rose.

But let concealment, like a worm i' the bud, Feed on her damask cheek. Shak.

Damask color, a deep rose-color like that of the damask rose. -- Damask plum, a small dark-colored plum, generally called damson. -- Damask rose Bot., a large, pink, hardy, and very fragrant variety of rose (Rosa damascena) from Damascus. "Damask roses have not been known in England above one hundred years." Bacon. -- Damask steel, or Damascus steel, steel of the kind originally made at Damascus, famous for its hardness, and its beautiful texture, ornamented with waving lines; especially, that which is inlaid with damaskeening; -- formerly much valued for sword blades, from its great flexibility and tenacity.

 

© Webster 1913.

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Dam"ask, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Damasked (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Damasking.]

To decorate in a way peculiar to Damascus or attributed to Damascus; particularly: (a) with flowers and rich designs, as silk; (b) with inlaid lines of gold, etc., or with a peculiar marking or "water," as metal. See Damaskeen.

Mingled metal damasked o'er with gold. Dryde.

On the soft, downy bank, damasked with flowers. Milton.

 

© Webster 1913.