‖ cabochon
(kaboʃɔ̃)
Also 6 Sc. caboschoun, coboischoun, coboschoun.
[Fr.: augmentative of caboche; see above.]
A precious stone when merely polished, without being cut into facets or receiving any regular figure but that which belongs to the stone itself, the rough parts only being removed. This fashion is chiefly applied to the garnet (carbuncle), ruby, sapphire and amethyst. Chiefly attrib., as in cabochon shape, cabochon crystal, cabochon emerald, etc.
| 1578 Inventories 265 (Jam.) Tua tabled diamantis, and tua rubyis coboischoun. Ibid. 266 Foure rubyis coboschoun. 1872 Ellacombe Bells of Ch. vii. 174 Under the foot of the cross is a large uncut crystal..at one side of this cabochon is a mitred figure. 1877 W. Jones Finger-ring L. 220 A pale cabochon sapphire. 1883 Times 14 July 7 The centre stone..is encircled by ruby, emerald, sapphire, and five other stones, cut cabochon shape. |