camaïeu

See also: camaieu

French

Etymology

Inherited from Middle French kamaheu, from Old French camaü (“precious stone, treasure”), of obscure origin. Compare Medieval Latin camaeus (probably of confluence with the older forms) also of unknown origin, and English cameo.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ka.ma.jø/

• Audio (Paris):

  (file)

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.