damascene

Damascene is an adjective and noun derived from Damascus, the capital of Syria, used for things related to the city or to its historic crafts. In metalwork, damascene refers to a decorative technique in which metal inlays of gold, silver, or copper are embedded into a base metal, often iron or steel, to form intricate patterns. The surface is typically darkened to enhance contrast with the inlaid metal, producing a characteristic network of lines. Damascene objects include jewelry, sword fittings, armor, and furniture, and the technique has been practiced since medieval times across the Islamic world. The terms damascened and damascene are often used interchangeably with damascening.

Damascus steel, or Damascus pattern steel, describes a historical type of patterned steel produced in the Near East from ingots of wootz. The modern, widely used term Damascus steel is sometimes conflated with damascene metalwork, but it relies on different metallurgical processes. In contemporary practice, manufacturers may produce damascene steel via pattern-welding, creating similar surface patterns while using different materials.

In modern electronics, the damascene process refers to a method for forming metal interconnects in integrated circuits: trenches are etched in a dielectric, filled with metal, and planarized to produce flat surfaces. This is a standard technique in semiconductor fabrication.

Finally, damascene can denote a person or thing from Damascus, a usage common in historical and literary contexts.