The Collaborative International Dictionary
Damascus twist
Damascus \Da*mas"cus\, n. [L.] 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 damask appearance.
Damascus steel. See Damask steel, under Damask, a.