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) (file)

Noun

camaïeu m (plural camaïeux)

cameo (stone)
(range of) shades, tones, hues (of a colour)
(art) camaieu

Further reading

“camaïeu” in le Trésor de la langue française informatisé (The Digitized Treasury of the French Language).

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