Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

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.

Source : WordNet®

Damascus
     n : an ancient city (widely regarded as the world's oldest) and
         present capital and largest city of Syria; according to
         the New Testament, the Apostle Paul (then known as Saul)
         underwent a dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus
         [syn: {capital of Syria}]