cabochon
UK[ˈkabəʃɒn]US[ˈkæbəˌʃɑːn]
n
A gemstone that is polished but not faceted, having a smooth, rounded, convex surface.
Etymology
The word 'cabochon' entered English in the 16th century from the Old French 'caboche', meaning 'head'. This French term itself derived from the Latin 'caput', meaning 'head', which traces back to the Proto-Indo-European root 'kaput-', also signifying 'head'. The semantic logic is beautifully direct: a polished, rounded gem without facets resembles the smooth, dome-like shape of a human head. The modern term is used exclusively in jewelry to describe this specific, classic style of gemstone cutting, preserving the ancient metaphorical link between shape and anatomy.
Analysis
This word is a loanword from French, borrowed as a single, unanalyzed unit into English. Its spelling and form were adopted wholesale.
Examples
The antique ring featured a large emerald cut as a cabochon.
Cabochon cutting is often used for opaque stones like turquoise or opal to enhance their color.
Instead of a faceted brilliant, she preferred the soft, glowing look of a sapphire cabochon.