cabochon

American  

[kab-uh-shon, ka-baw-shawn] / ˈkæb əˌʃɒn, ka bɔˈʃɔ̃ /

noun

cabochons plural

1. a precious stone of convex hemispherical or oval form, polished but not cut into facets.

2. an ornamental motif resembling this, either concave or convex and often surrounded by ornately carved leaf patterns, used on furniture of the 18th century.

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adverb

1. in the form of a cabochon.

   a turquoise cut cabochon.

adjective

1. being cut cabochon.

   cabochon gems.

cabochon British  

/ ˈkæbəˌʃɒn, kabɔʃɔ̃ /

noun

1. a smooth domed gem, polished but unfaceted

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Other Word Forms

Inflected Forms

noun

• cabochons
  plural

Etymology

Origin of cabochon

1570–80; < Middle French, equivalent to caboche head ( see cabbage ¹) + -on diminutive suffix

Example Sentences

The gold ring, which has a central hexagonal cabochon sapphire with two emeralds and two garnets, was uncovered by detectorist Mark Sell, 63, in King Row, Shipdham, in 2019.

From BBC • Mar. 11, 2025

Weirdly I didn't have amazing courses in math, I had to have outside tutoring for the SATs and all of it, but I've known what a cabochon is since I was about 14.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 25, 2015

The brooch is engraved with the initials "J.P.M.S." and has four turquoise forget-me-knots with a central red cabochon garnet heart.

From BBC • Aug. 2, 2011

Khalili Collection, courtesy of Khalili Family Trust A silver-gilt charger with cabochon emeralds, sapphires and amethysts, turquoise, smoky quartz and citrine, from “Enamels of the World 1700-2000,” at the State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg.

From New York Times • Dec. 10, 2009

Valerian is in deep red, cabochon rubies sparkling on his cuffs, each like a drop of frozen blood.

From "The Cruel Prince" by Holly Black