American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth
Edition - n. A rose (Rosa damascena) native to Asia that has
fragrant red or pink flowers and is used as a source of attar.
GNU Webster's 1913 - adj. (Bot.) a large, pink, hardy, and very
fragrant variety of rose (Rosa damascena) from Damascus. - n.
large hardy very fragrant pink rose; cultivated in Asia Minor as
source of attar of roses; parent of many hybrids - From Middle
English Damask, Damascus; see damask. (American Heritage®
Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition) “It
contains, among other pieces, the song entitled "Ask if the
damask rose be sweet," from "Susannah, an oratorio by Mr.
Handell," and also a minuet by the same” “THE last we shall now
mention seems nearly allied to the Alcea; the flowers are a size
less than the Hibiscus, and of a fine damask rose colour, and
are produced in great profusion on the tall pyramidal stems.”
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