Also 6 Sc. caboschoun, coboischoun, coboschoun. [Fr.: augmentative of caboche; see above.] A precious stone when merely polished, without being cut into facets or receiving any regular figure but that which belongs to the stone itself, the rough parts only being removed. This fashion is chiefly applied to the garnet (carbuncle), ruby, sapphire and amethyst. Chiefly attrib., as in cabochon shape, crystal, emerald, etc.
1578. Inventories, 265 (Jam.). Tua tabled diamantis, and tua rubyis coboischoun. Ibid., 266. Foure rubyis coboschoun.
1872. Ellacombe, Bells of Ch., vii. 174. Under the foot of the cross is a large uncut crystal…; at one side of this cabochon is a mitred figure.
1877. W. Jones, Finger-ring L., 220. A pale cabochon sapphire.
1883. Times, 14 July, 7/5. The centre stone … is encircled by ruby, emerald, sapphire, and five other stones, cut cabochon shape.
