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damascus

n. uncountable
C2 Proficiency US //dəˈmæskəs// dam·as·cus

n. the capital city of Syria, known for being one of the oldest cities in the world where people still live today.

n. the capital and largest city of Syria, situated in the southwestern part of the country. Often cited as one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world.


SIMPLE

Damascus is a city with a very long and rich history.

CONTEXTUAL

The ancient Old City of Damascus is a UNESCO World Heritage site featuring narrow alleys and historic markets.

COMPLEX

Scholars often point to Damascus as a primary example of urban continuity, where layers of Hellenistic, Roman, and Islamic architecture coexist within the same city walls.

Origin

From Latin Dāmascus, from Ancient Greek Δαμασκός (Damaskós), from a Semitic form akin to Hebrew דַּמֶּשֶׂק and Samalian 𐤃𐤌𐤔𐤒 (dmšq). Doublet of Dimashq.

Usage

When used as a proper name for the city, it is uncountable; it can also be used as a modifier in phrases like 'Damascus steel'.

Idioms1 entry

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