camaïeu

See also: camaieu

French

Etymology

From Middle French kamaheu, from Old French camaü (“precious stone, treasure”), of obscure origin. Probably a borrowing from Middle High German gāmahiu (“precious stone, gemstone”), a variant of Middle High German gamānje, gāmān, kāman (“gemstone”). Compare Medieval Latin cammaeus (probably of confluence with the older forms) also of unknown origin, and English cameo.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ka.ma.jø/

• Audio (Paris):

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Noun

camaïeu m (plural camaïeux)

1. cameo (stone)
2. (range of) shades, tones, hues (of a colour)
3. (art) camaieu

Further reading

• “camaïeu”, in Trésor de la langue française informatisé [Digitized Treasury of the French Language], 2012.